The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially set the date for the next Anambra State Governorship election for November 8, 2025.
This announcement was made by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during the fourth regular quarterly consultative meeting with political parties, held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
Professor Yakubu explained that the date was selected in line with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates that INEC must issue the notice of an election not later than 360 days before the election date.
“As you are aware, the last governorship election in Anambra State was held on 6th November 2021. By the effluxion of time, the governorship election is due next year. Consequently, the Commission has approved that the 2025 Anambra State Governorship election will hold on Saturday 8th November 2025,” Yakubu stated.
The formal notice for the election is expected to be published on 13th November 2024. Yakubu provided further details regarding the timetable: party primaries will take place between 20th March 2025 and 10th April 2025, and the candidate nomination portal will open at 9.00 am on 18th April 2025 and close at 6.00 pm on 12th May 2025. The final list of candidates is slated for publication on 9th June 2025, while campaigns will commence on 11th June 2025, ending on the midnight of Thursday, 6th November 2025.
The chairman also disclosed that voting would occur across 5,720 Polling Units in the state on November 8, 2025, emphasizing that more details about voter registration, transfers, and the replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) will be shared soon.
“The detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2025 Anambra State Governorship election will be uploaded to our website and social media platforms before the end of this meeting. Hard copies will also be made available to you shortly,” he added, urging political parties to use the INEC Timetable to develop their schedules, which will help INEC plan the deployment of personnel and resources.
Yakubu also highlighted progress regarding the forthcoming Ondo State Governorship election, noting that INEC had completed 10 out of the 13 activities outlined in the timetable. The remaining activities include the publication of the notice of poll, the last day of campaigns, and the election day itself. He further mentioned that the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) from the last Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) began on Thursday in Ondo State.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Dantalle, stressed the need for INEC to improve upon the upcoming Ondo gubernatorial election, given Nigerians’ expectations. He also emphasized the urgency of addressing the hardships faced by millions of Nigerians to increase their political participation.
“Council urges stakeholders in the electoral process to join in voter education, sensitization, and mobilization to ensure a free, fair, credible, transparent, inclusive, and peaceful election that will meet international standards,” Dantalle remarked.
He further stated that IPAC will take the lead in voter mobilization as a key stakeholder and called on political parties and candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns while avoiding divisive politics.
