The Independent National Electoral Commission has confirmed that 16 out of Nigeria’s 19 registered political parties will participate in the November 8, 2025 governorship election in Anambra State.
INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information & Voter Education Committee, Mr. Sam Olumekun, made this announcement in a statement released on Thursday in Awka.
He noted that the commission had recently published the particulars of candidates who emerged from party primaries.
Olumekun stated that “A total of 16 political parties uploaded the particulars of their candidates (Form EC9) by the deadline of 6.00pm on May 12, 2025. Therefore 16 out of the 19 registered parties are participating in the election.”
The participating parties and their candidates include Accord with Charles Onyeze and Apollonia Ezeadili, Action Alliance with Japhet Ndeke and Anayochukwu Obi, and African Action Congress with Grace Ifemeludike and Ikechukwu Mgbemena.
Other participating parties are African Democratic Congress with John Nwosu and Ndubuisi Nwobu, All Progressives Congress with Nicholas Ukachukwu and Lilian Ekwunife, and All Progressives Grand Alliance with Chukwuma Soludo and Gilbert Ibezim.
The list continues with Allied Peoples Movement fielding Echezona Otti and Samuel Ezeigwe, Action Peoples Party with Cukwudubem Ndeke and Ebele Okeke, and Boot Party with Jerry Okeke and Happiness Ugboma.
Labour Party will be represented by Nnadubem Moghalu and Veronica Okaro, while New Nigeria Peoples Party has Geoffrey Onyejegbu and Victor Arinze. National Rescue Movement fields Ndidi Olieh and Reginald Egbe, Peoples Democratic Party presents Jude Ezenwafor and Chukwudi Okeke, and Social Democratic Party has Vincent Chukwurah and Venatious Odira. Young Progressives Party candidates are Chukwuka Chukwuma and Izuchukwu Okagbue, with Zenith Labour Party presenting Martin Ugwoji and Faith Obi.
Olumekun explained that in accordance with Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, political parties had until June 2, 2025 to replace candidates who voluntarily withdrew from the race.
He stated “Consequently, the commission hereby publishes the final list of candidates that will contest in the 2025 Anambra state governorship election.”
The National Commissioner revealed that none of the parties nominated a person with disability as a candidate, with the age range of candidates spanning from 36 to 71 years.
Complete details including academic qualifications have been uploaded to INEC’s website and social media platforms. Olumekun emphasized that “with this publication, no further withdrawal or replacement of candidates would be allowed except in the event of death of a candidate or running mate before election day,” as stipulated in Section 34(1) of the Electoral Act.
The commission announced that campaign activities would officially commence on June 11, 2025 and conclude at midnight on November 6, in line with Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.
Olumekun stressed that “All political parties and candidates must be given unimpeded access to public facilities for media campaign, outdoor advertising as well as public rallies and meetings.”
He reminded stakeholders that “Section 95(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibits the use of incumbency to the advantage or disadvantage of any party or candidate.”
INEC expressed confidence that the Anambra governorship election would proceed as scheduled on November 8, 2025, with all necessary preparations in place to ensure a free, fair and credible electoral process.
