All is set for the Anambra governorship election, scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2025, where 16 governorship candidates from various political parties, including the incumbent Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, are set to compete. Among the prominent candidates are Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Mr John Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Dr George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP). Other candidates include Oti Echezona (APM), Ms. Chioma Ifemeludike (AAC), Jeff Nweke (Action Alliance), Charles Onyeze (Accord), Geoff Onyejegbu (New Nigeria People’s Party), Jude Ezenwafor (People’s Democratic Party), Chukwududem Nweke (Action Peoples Party), Jerry Okeke (Boot Party), Ndidi Olieh (National Rescue Movement), Martin Ugwoji (Zenith Labour Party), and Vincent Chukwurah (Social Democratic Party).

Out of these 16 contenders, only a few are deeply rooted in the state and possess a strong capability to win the election. Six of the most popular candidates are Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Nicholas Ukachukwu, Dr George Moghalu, Mr John Nwosu, Sir Paul Chukwuma, and Chief Jeff Nweke. However, the unwritten yet effective zoning arrangement in the state significantly impacts the chances of two candidates: Paul Chukwuma, who hails from the Northern senatorial zone, and Chief Jeff Nweke, from the Central senatorial zone. This arrangement generally favors candidates from the Anambra South zone. Despite being from the favored zone, Governor Soludo, from a dominant political party (APGA) and holding the power of incumbency, faces questions about whether other candidates from Anambra South can unseat him. While many believe Soludo has performed well in his first tenure and is well-liked, others contend his administration has been marked by poor performance and insecurity.

A total of 2,802,790 registered voters are expected to participate in the election, with 2,769,137 having collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), representing an impressive 98.8 percent collection rate. Despite this high collection rate, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, expressed concern over historical voter apathy in Anambra State. He noted a worrying decline in turnout, from 25.5 percent in the 2013 governorship election to 20.10 percent in 2017, and a sharp drop to a mere 10.27 percent in 2021. Prof. Amupitan appealed to eligible voters to come out en masse on Saturday to cast their ballots, emphasizing that voter apathy is a significant enemy to Anambra’s democracy, alongside external violence.

INEC has expressed its full readiness for the election. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu (also referred to as Queen Agu), monitored the inspection and distribution of sensitive election materials, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), Forms EC8A, and Forms EC8B, from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the various local government areas and Registration Area Centres (RACs) on Thursday. This process was carried out with the joint supervision of party agents and security operatives to ensure transparency. The REC urged the electorate to participate actively, assuring them that their votes would count and that the commission, in collaboration with stakeholders, is committed to a free, fair, transparent, and credible election. Prof. Amupitan also assured stakeholders that despite attempts by some individuals to cause confusion and undermine credibility through vote buying, INEC remains fully committed. It was also clarified that voting would proceed in all polling units except two which have zero registered voters.

Extensive security measures have been put in place for the election. The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Anambra State election, CP Abayomi Shogunle, has assumed duty and activated the IGP’s Enforcement Protocol for anti-electoral offenses, targeting ballot snatching, vote-buying, political thuggery, and voter intimidation. A central command framework has been established for real-time intelligence sharing, coordination, and rapid response. The number of security personnel deployed for the poll has been increased to 55,000 officers, ensuring at least three security personnel from various agencies like the Nigeria Police Force, Immigration Service, NDLEA, and DSS will man each of the 5,720 polling units across the state. This joint deployment also includes tactical reserves along inter-LGA and State boundaries, as well as designated election collation centers. CP Shogunle reiterated a total ban on all vigilante and quasi-security groups, emphasizing that only federal government security agencies are authorized for election duties. VIP movements with armed escorts or security aides at polling or collation centers are strictly prohibited, with violators facing immediate apprehension and prosecution. Only designated INEC officials, accredited observers, and journalists are allowed to move freely, and security is provided on land, waterways, and through air patrol to ensure a safe environment for voters and officials.

To encourage active participation, the Anambra State government officially declared Friday, November 7, 2025, a work-free day for all public and civil servants. This directive, approved by Governor Chukwuma Soludo and communicated by the Head of Service (HOS), Mrs. Theodora Igwegbe, aims to allow workers to travel to their registered voting locations. Mrs. Igwegbe described voting as a vital civic duty and an essential contribution to good governance and democracy, directing all political appointees, permanent secretaries, and heads of ministries, departments, and agencies to ensure full compliance. Public affairs analysts, like Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, expressed optimism for a free, fair, and credible election, noting that candidates have signed a peace accord and the governor affirmed their readiness to play by the rules.