INEC Confirms Candidate Changes by Four Parties Ahead of 2025 Anambra Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that four political parties have substituted their candidates ahead of the upcoming Anambra State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2025.

The affected parties are Accord, African Action Congress (AAC), Labour Party (LP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Following the substitutions, INEC has released the final list of candidates contesting the 2025 governorship election.

This comes after the close of the June 2, 2025 deadline for the withdrawal and replacement of candidates, in line with the provisions of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, which permits parties to replace candidates who voluntarily withdraw from the race.

While the African Democratic Congress (ADC) conducted a fresh primary election to replace its governorship candidate, the four aforementioned parties substituted their deputy governorship candidates.

According to INEC, 16 out of 19 registered political parties submitted candidate nominations by the May 12, 2025 deadline for uploading personal particulars using Form EC9.

The Commission further disclosed that two parties—AAC and the National Rescue Movement (NRM)—have nominated female governorship candidates, while six others have fielded female running mates. These include Accord, All Progressives Congress (APC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Boot Party (BP), Labour Party (LP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

However, INEC noted that no political party has nominated a person with disability as a candidate in the election. The age range of candidates spans from 36 to 71 years, and INEC has published the full list of candidates—detailing party affiliations, age, gender, and academic qualifications—on its official website and social media platforms.

“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,” stated Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.

Campaigns Kick Off June 11

In accordance with Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, political parties may begin open campaign activities starting Wednesday, June 11, 2025, with the campaign period set to close by midnight on Thursday, November 6, 2025.

INEC reminded political parties, candidates, and supporters that the law prohibits abusive language, physical violence, and destruction of opponents’ campaign materials, in line with Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act.

The Commission also emphasized that all parties and candidates must be granted equal access to public facilities for campaign purposes, including media space, billboards, and rally venues. It warned against the misuse of incumbency advantages, citing Section 95(2) of the Act.

The 2025 Anambra State governorship election is expected to be highly competitive, with 16 parties officially in the race.