Four Parties Swap Candidates as INEC Unveils Final List for 2025 Anambra Governorship Race

 

With the governorship election in Anambra State just months away, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed a final shake-up in the lineup of contenders. Four political parties have officially substituted their candidates ahead of the November 8, 2025, polls, following the expiration of the window for withdrawals and replacements.

Accord, African Action Congress (AAC), Labour Party, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) were among those that modified their tickets, each opting to replace their deputy governorship candidates before the stipulated deadline of Monday, June 2, 2025. These changes, made in accordance with the provisions of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, allow political parties to substitute candidates who voluntarily withdraw from the contest.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), in contrast, went further by conducting a fresh primary election to replace its governorship candidate entirely—one of the few such instances in this cycle.

Following these changes, INEC has now published the definitive list of candidates contesting in the high-stakes Anambra gubernatorial election. This publication includes comprehensive details such as party affiliation, age, gender, and academic qualifications. The full list is now accessible on INEC’s official website and social media platforms, offering transparency and encouraging voter engagement as the campaign season begins.

A total of 16 political parties are officially in the race, having successfully uploaded their candidates' particulars via Form EC9 by the submission deadline of 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025. This marks a narrowing of the field, as only 16 out of the 19 registered parties chose to field candidates for the upcoming contest.

Of notable significance is the increased, though still modest, representation of women in this electoral cycle. The AAC and the National Rescue Movement (NRM) have each nominated a female candidate to vie for the top seat, while six parties—including Accord, All Progressives Congress (APC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Boot Party (BP), Labour Party, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)—have nominated female deputy governorship candidates. This trend reflects ongoing efforts by advocacy groups and electoral bodies to push for gender inclusion in Nigerian politics.

However, the latest update from INEC confirms a continued lack of representation for persons with disabilities, as no party nominated a candidate from this demographic. Candidate ages range from 36 to 71 years, showcasing a generational diversity that could shape campaign narratives and voter appeal.

With the final list now published, the electoral body has shut the door on any further candidate withdrawals or replacements—except in the unfortunate event of a candidate’s death before the election, as outlined in Section 34(1) of the Electoral Act.

The political landscape in Anambra is now poised to shift from candidate selection to full-blown campaigning. Political parties and their candidates are officially cleared to begin public campaigning from Wednesday, June 11, 2025. This campaign period will run through midnight of Thursday, November 6, 2025, giving candidates just under five months to engage the electorate and present their platforms.

INEC has taken the opportunity to remind all political actors of the ethical and legal boundaries they must operate within during the campaign season. Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act 2022 explicitly prohibit abusive language, physical violence, and destruction of opponents’ campaign materials. Furthermore, all parties and their candidates are entitled to equal access to public venues, media platforms, and advertising opportunities without obstruction—regardless of political alignment or incumbency status.

A stern warning was also issued against the misuse of incumbency for electoral advantage. Section 95(2) of the Electoral Act bans any form of manipulation by those currently in office that could unfairly skew the playing field in favor of a particular candidate or party.

The road to Anambra's 2025 governorship election is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic in recent memory. With a diversified pool of candidates, heightened public scrutiny, and an electorate eager for change, all eyes are now on how the campaigns will unfold in the coming months. As the clock ticks toward November 8, the political temperature in Anambra continues to rise—and the battle for Awka is officially underway.