The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has confirmed that four political parties changed their candidates for the upcoming governorship election in Anambra State.

The political parties are Accord, African Action Congress, Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party.

Following the changes effected, the Commission has now published the final list of candidates that will contest in the 2025 Anambra State governorship election.

A statement from the National commissioner Incharge of information and voter education, Sam Olumekun said deadline for the withdrawal and substitution of candidates was Monday, 2nd June, 2025.

Recall that the Commission recently published the personal particulars of candidates that emerged from primaries conducted by political parties for the election.

A total of 16 political parties uploaded the particulars of their candidates, Form EC9 by the deadline of 6:00 pm on Monday, 12th May, 2025.

In line with the provisions of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, political parties are empowered to replace their candidates who voluntarily withdraw from the race.

Accordingly, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, conducted a fresh primary election to replace its candidate while the four parties replaced their deputy governorship candidates.

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 said 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.

Olumekun said with the 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.

“Commencement of Campaign 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.

The Anambra State governorship election will hold on Saturday, 8th November, 2025.