The Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) says 16 out of 19 registered political parties in the country
will participate in the Nov. 8 governorship election in Anambra.
Mr Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman,
Information & Voter Education Committee, INEC said this in a statement on
Thursday in Awka.
Olumekun recalled that the commission recently
published the particulars of candidates that emerged from parties’ primaries.
“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.
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 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 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.
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 in 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
campaigns in public from June 11, 2025 and end at midnight on Nov. 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 Nov. 8 as scheduled.
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