This is contained in a statement on Wednesday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates for the 2025 Anambra State Governorship election, marking the commencement of campaign activities by all qualified political parties.

This is contained in a statement on Wednesday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun.

The list follows the successful conclusion of party primaries and the period for withdrawal and substitution of candidates.

A total of 16 political parties will contest in the election, having submitted the particulars of their candidates through Form EC9 by the stipulated deadline of 6pm on Monday, May 12, 2025. 

Among these, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) replaced its initial candidate following a voluntary withdrawal, while four parties—Accord (A), African Action Congress (AAC), Labour Party (LP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)—substituted their deputy governorship nominees.

The final list reflects a modest level of gender representation, with AAC and the National Rescue Movement (NRM) fielding female governorship candidates, and six parties — Accord (A), All Progressives Congress (APC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Boot Party (BP), Labour Party (LP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) — presenting female running mates. 

However, INEC noted that no political party nominated a person with a disability for the election.

Candidate ages range from 36 to 71 years, and their academic qualifications and other personal details have been made available to the public via the Commission’s website and social media platforms.

INEC emphasised that with the publication of the final list, no further substitutions or withdrawals will be permitted, except in cases of death, as provided under Section 34(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.

The statement read, "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.

Olumekun added that the Anambra State Governorship election will hold on Saturday 8th November 2025.