INEC Clears 16 Parties For Anambra Gov Election

By Ayodele Oni

Sixteen political parties have been cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to contest November eight governorship election in Anambra state.

This is just as the commission on Wednesday published the final list of candidates for the  Governorship election.

INEC, in a statement by its spokesperson, Sam Olumekun, confirmed that 16 political parties will participate in the election that is scheduled to hold on Saturday, November 8, 2025.

INEC said the deadline for submission of candidates’ personal details was 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, in line with Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022. The commission confirmed that four political parties changed their candidates.

They include: Accord, African Action Congress, Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party.

“Sixteen out of the 19 registered parties are 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.

“They are Accord, All Progressives Congress, APC, Action Peoples Party, APP, Boot Party, BP, Labour Party and Zenith Labour Party, ZLP.”

INEC noted that no party has nominated a person with disability as a candidate, adding that in terms of age, the candidates range between 36 and 71 years.

INEC explained it has published the full list of the candidates by party, age, gender and academic qualifications on its website and social media platforms for public information.

“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,” a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee, said.

“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.”