close
Thursday, June 5, 2025

16 parties contesting Anambra governorship seat: INEC

Mr Olumekun noted that 16 out of 19 registered political parties in the country would be contesting the poll.

• June 5, 2025
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) used to illustrate story.

The Independent National Electoral Commission said 16 out of 19 registered political parties in the country will participate in the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State.

The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC, Sam Olumekun, said this in a statement on Thursday in Awka.

Mr Olumekun recalled that the commission recently published the particulars of candidates that emerged from parties’ primaries.

He said, “A total of 16 political parties uploaded the particulars of their candidates (Form EC9) by the deadline of 6.00pm on May 12, 2025.

“Therefore 16 out of the 19 registered parties are participating in the election.”

He said the participating parties’ candidates and running mates are Accord (A) Charles Onyeze and Apollonia Ezeadili, Action Alliance (AA); Japhet Ndeke and Anayochukwu Obi.

According to him, also participating are: African Action Congress (AAC) which is fielding Grace Ifemeludike and Ikechukwu Mgbemena, African Democratic Congress (ADC); John Nwosu and Ndubuisi Nwobu, All Progressives Congress (APC); Nicholas Ukachukwu and Lilian Ekwunife.

Also in the race are the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) represented by  Chukwuma Soludo and Gilbert Ibezim while the flag of  Allied Peoples Movement (APM) will be flown by Echezona Otti and Samuel Ezeigwe.

He said the Action Peoples Party (APP) would feature Cukwudubem Ndeke and Ebele Okeke as its candidate and running mate.

Others include Boot Party (BP) which would feature Jerry Okeke and Happiness Ugboma; Labour Party (LP) to be represented by Nnadubem Moghalu and Veronica Okaro; and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on whose platform will be Geoffrey Onyejegbu and Victor Arinze.

The National Rescue Movement (NRM) would field Ndidi Olieh and Reginald Egbe; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would have Jude Ezenwafor and Chukwudi Okeke while Social Democratic Party (SDP) will field Vincent Chukwurah and Venatious Odira.

Similarly, Chukwuka Chukwuma would fly the flag of Young Progressives Party (YPP) with Izuchukwu Okagbue as running mate while Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) would have Martin Ugwoji and Faith Obi.

Mr Olumekun said that in line with the provision of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, political parties were empowered to replace their candidates who voluntarily withdraw from the race.

“The deadline for the withdrawal and substitution of candidates was Monday June 2, 2025.

“Consequently, the commission hereby publishes the final list of candidates that will contest the 2025 Anambra state governorship election,” he said.

He said that no party had nominated a person with disability as a candidate.

The national commissioner said the age bracket of the candidates is between 36 and 71 years.

According to him, the full list of the candidates by party, age, gender and academic qualifications have been uploaded on the commission’s website and social media platforms for public information.

He said with this publication, no further withdrawal or replacement of candidates would be allowed except in the event of death of a candidate or running mate before election day.

This, he explained, is as provided by Section 34(1) of the Electoral Act.

He said that in line with the provision of Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, parties would start their electioneering in public from June 11, 2025 and end at midnight on November 6.

“All political 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,’’ he said.

He expressed optimism that the governorship election would hold on November 8 as scheduled. 

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Abubakar Kyari

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)

States

Two corps members get service extension in Katsina

558 corps members received certificates of national service, following their successful one-year mandatory service.

FCT

NationWide

Court to deliver judgment in scavengers, beggars’ N500 million suit against FCT minister July 10

Mr Wike denied breaching the fundamental rights of the vulnerable people or dehumanising them in the FCT.

Emir of Gwandu, Maj, -Gen. Muhammad Bashar (retd)

States

Buhari congratulates ex-course mate Gwandu emir on court victory

Mr Buhari applauded his friend, who is also a course mate in the military, for the well-deserved victory.

Mongolia prime minister, Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene

Heading 2

Mongolia PM resigns over protests against son’s lavish lifestyle

The PM resigned from office on Tuesday after he lost a vote of confidence.

NSA, Nuhu Ribadu/Small arms

Heading 1

Nigeria must curb illicit arms proliferation to defeat terrorism: NSA  

Mr Ribadu said the proliferation of SALW constituted a huge threat to national security.