Anambra gov’ship: Soludo, 15 other candidates cleared

Ahead of the November 8 off-cycle governorship election in Anambra State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final list of candidates who will contest in the election. INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said this on Wednesday in Abuja in a statement. He said that campaigns […]

Ahead of the November 8 off-cycle governorship election in Anambra State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final list of candidates who will contest in the election.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said this on Wednesday in Abuja in a statement.

He said that campaigns in public would commence from next week Wednesday, June 11 and end at midnight on Thursday, November 6, 2025.

He said 16 out of the 19 registered political parties will be participating in the election out of which the African Action Congress (AAC) and the National Rescue Movement (NRM) have nominated female candidates while six parties are fielding female running mates.

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Those with female running mates are  Accord (A), All Progressives Congress (APC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Boot Party (BP), Labour Party (LP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Among the cleared candidates are the incumbent governor, Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jude Ezenwafor of the Peoples Democratic Party, George Moghalu of the Labour Party and John Chuma Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), among others.

Olumekun said the full list of the candidates by party, age, gender and academic qualifications has been uploaded to its website and social media platforms for public information.

He said no political party nominated a person with disability (PWD) as a candidate and that in terms of age, the candidates range between 36 and 71 years.

He also said that the ADC conducted a fresh primary election to replace its candidate while four political parties – Accord, AAC, LP and NNPP replaced their deputy governorship candidates, adding that the deadline for the withdrawal and substitution of candidates elapsed on Monday.

“With the publication of the final list of candidates, no further withdrawal or replacement of candidates will be allowed except in the event of death of a candidate or running mate before Election Day as provided for in Section 34(1) of the Electoral Act.

“Commencement of Campaign

In line with the provision of Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, Political Parties are now at liberty to start their electioneering campaigns in public from Wednesday 11th June 2025 and end at midnight on Thursday 6th November 2025.

“As enshrined in Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act 2022, the Commission wishes to remind Political Parties, candidates and their supporters that it is unlawful to use abusive language, carry out physical attacks on opponents during rallies, processions and meetings or destroy their campaign materials.

“Similarly, all parties and candidates must be given unimpeded access to public facilities for media campaign, outdoor advertising as well as public rallies and meetings. For the avoidance of doubt, Section 95(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibits the use of incumbency to the advantage or disadvantage of any party or candidate,” Olumekun said.

On the deadline for the withdrawal and substitution of candidates which was Monday 2nd June 2025, he said, “With this publication, no further withdrawal or replacement of candidates will be allowed except in the event of death of a candidate or running mate before Election Day as provided by Section 34(1) of the Electoral Act.”

He however reminded the parties, their candidates and supporters, that it is unlawful to use abusive language, physical attacks on opponents during rallies, processions and meetings or destroy their campaign materials.

He said, “Similarly, all parties and candidates must be given unimpeded access to public facilities for media campaign, outdoor advertising as well as public rallies and meetings.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 95(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibits the use of incumbency to the advantage or disadvantage of any party or candidate.”