16 Parties, 2 Female Guber Hopefuls: Anambra 2025 Campaigns Begin June 11

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially released the final list of candidates set to contest in the 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election, scheduled for November 8, 2025.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, announced that political campaigns will kick off on Wednesday, June 11.

Out of Nigeria’s 19 registered political parties, 16 successfully submitted nominations for the Anambra poll, including both governorship and deputy governorship hopefuls, using Form EC9 before the deadline of 6 p.m. on May 12, 2025.

Per Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, political parties were allowed to replace candidates who voluntarily withdrew. As such, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) conducted a new primary to field a different gubernatorial candidate, while four parties — Accord (A), African Action Congress (AAC), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) — swapped out their deputy governorship nominees.

INEC confirmed that the final list is now immutable. “The deadline for the withdrawal and substitution of candidates was Monday, June 2, 2025. Consequently, the Commission hereby publishes the final list,” Olumekun said.

Key Highlights:

• 16 political parties are in the race.

• Two parties — AAC and NRM — are fielding female governorship candidates.

• Six parties have female running mates.

• No persons with disabilities were nominated by any party.

• Candidates range in age from 36 to 71 years.

INEC emphasized that no further substitutions will be allowed except in the case of death, as stipulated by Section 34(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.

Campaigns will officially begin on June 11, 2025, and must end by midnight on November 6, 2025, per Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act.

The Commission issued a strong warning to parties and supporters against hate speech, physical violence, and defacement of rival campaign materials — all prohibited under Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act. It also stressed that equal media access and fair use of public facilities must be guaranteed to all candidates, regardless of incumbency.

“For the avoidance of doubt,” Olumekun said, “Section 95(2) of the Electoral Act prohibits the use of incumbency for political advantage or to disadvantage any candidate.”