The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final list of candidates for the 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election, in line with the Electoral Act 2022. This marks a critical milestone in the electoral process and formally ushers in the campaign season ahead of the election scheduled for Saturday, 8th November 2025.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, 4th June 2025, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mr. Sam Olumekun, mni, confirmed that sixteen political parties successfully nominated candidates and submitted their details via the Commission’s online portal by the deadline of 6:00pm on Monday, 12th May 2025, following the conduct of party primaries.
Mr. Olumekun noted that the publication of the personal particulars of the nominated candidates was followed by a window for voluntary withdrawal and substitution, as provided in Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022. Within this period, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) conducted a fresh primary to replace its governorship candidate, while four parties—Accord (A), African Action Congress (AAC), Labour Party (LP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)—replaced their Deputy Governorship candidates. This substitution window closed on Monday, 2nd June 2025.
With the conclusion of candidate substitutions, the Commission has now released the final list of candidates contesting the election. The published list includes the names of candidates and their running mates, along with details such as age, gender, academic qualifications, and party affiliation. The full list is available on INEC’s website and official social media platforms for public access.
According to the IVEC Chairman, of the sixteen parties participating in the election, the African Action Congress (AAC) and the National Rescue Movement (NRM) have nominated female governorship candidates. Additionally, six parties—Accord (A), All Progressives Congress (APC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Boot Party (BP), Labour Party (LP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)—have fielded female Deputy Governorship candidates. However, no party nominated a person with disability. The candidates’ ages range from 36 to 71 years, reflecting a generational spread across the field.
The publication of the final list also signals the official commencement of electioneering campaigns. In accordance with Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, political parties and candidates may now begin public campaigns from Wednesday, 11th June 2025. The campaign period will run until midnight on Thursday, 6th November 2025.
INEC has, however, reminded political actors of the need to conduct campaigns in a peaceful, respectful, and lawful manner. Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act prohibit the use of inflammatory or abusive language, incitement to violence, or destruction of opponents’ campaign materials. Parties and candidates must also be granted equal access to public facilities for rallies, processions, advertising, and media coverage. The Commission further emphasized the provisions of Section 95(2), which prohibits the use of incumbency to confer undue advantage or disadvantage on any candidate or party.
The candidates, their deputies, and the political parties on the final list are as follows:
*ACCORD (A): Onyeeze Chidi Charles (Governor), Ezeadili Appolonia O. (Deputy Governor)
*ACTION ALLIANCE (AA): Nweke Ezechukwu Japhet (Governor), Obi Elvis Anayochukwu (Deputy Governor)
*AFRICAN ACTION CONGRESS (AAC): Ifemeludike Chioma Grace (Governor), Mgbemena Kingsley Ikechukwu (Deputy Governor)
*AFRICAN DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (ADC): Nwosu Chima John (Governor), Nwobu Geoffery Ndubisi (Deputy Governor)
*ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC): Ukachukwu Nicholas (Governor), Ekwunife Uche Lilian (Deputy Governor)
*ALL PROGRESSIVES GRAND ALLIANCE *(APGA): Soludo Charles Chukwuma (Governor), Ibezim Onyekachukwu Gilbert (Deputy Governor)
*ALLIED PEOPLES MOVEMENT (APM): Otti Cyprian Echezona (Governor), Ezeigwe Chuka Samuel (Deputy Governor)
*ACTION PEOPLES PARTY (APP): Nweke Christopher Chukwudubem (Governor), Okeke Blessing Ebele (Deputy Governor)
*BOOT PARTY (BP): Okeke Chika Jerbry (Governor), Ugboma Happiness (Deputy Governor)
*LABOUR PARTY (LP): Moghalu George Nnadubem (Governor), Okaro Ifeoma Veronica (Deputy Governor)
*NEW NIGERIA PEOPLES PARTY (NNPP): Onyejebu Geoffery (Governor), Arinze Chukwuka Victor (Deputy Governor)
*NATIONAL RESCUE MOVEMENT (NRM): Ndidi Christy Olieh (Governor), Egbe Ekene Reginald (Deputy Governor)
*PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP): Ezenwafor Jude (Governor), Okeke Francis Chukwudi (Deputy Governor)
*SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY (SDP): Chukwurah Vincent (Governor), Odira Atueyi Vanatius (Deputy Governor)
*YOUNG PROGRESSIVES PARTY (YPP): Chukwuma Paul Chukwuka (Governor), Okagbue Uzuegbuna Izuchukwu (Deputy Governor)
*ZENITH LABOUR PARTY (ZLP): Ugwoji Uchenna Martin (Governor), Obi Chibuzo Faith (Deputy Governor)
Mr. Olumekun reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to a credible, inclusive, and transparent electoral process and urged all stakeholders to play their part in ensuring peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the Anambra Governorship Election.