INEC Releases Personal Particulars of Candidates for 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election
Abuja, Nigeria – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has made public the personal details of candidates vying for the Anambra State governorship seat in the upcoming election scheduled for November 8, 2025. This move comes after 16 political parties successfully submitted their candidates’ nomination forms following the completion of party primaries.
In a statement released on Saturday, Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, confirmed that the documents were uploaded through INEC’s dedicated online portal, which automatically shut down at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025. This deadline marked the end of the nomination process, ensuring that only timely submissions were considered.
As per Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, INEC has now displayed the EC9 forms—along with academic credentials and other supporting documents—for all candidates and their running mates. These materials are available for public viewing at the commission’s state headquarters in Awka and at the offices of the 21 local government areas across Anambra State. The initiative is designed to promote transparency and allow citizens to verify the authenticity of the candidates’ information.
“The Commission has published the personal particulars of each candidate and his or her running mate by displaying copies of the Form EC9, along with all the accompanying academic credentials and other documents submitted by them,” Olumekun’s statement read. He emphasized the importance of public scrutiny, urging Nigerians to examine the documents closely. “We appeal to Nigerians to scrutinise the documents,” he added, highlighting that this step is crucial for upholding the integrity of the electoral process.
INEC also reminded aspiring politicians who participated in the party primaries of their legal rights. Under Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022, any aspirant with reasonable grounds to believe that a candidate has provided false information can file a challenge in the Federal High Court. This provision serves as a safeguard against potential irregularities and ensures that only qualified individuals proceed to the final stages of the election.
Looking ahead, INEC outlined the next milestones in the electoral timeline. The final list of candidates will be published on June 9, 2025, in accordance with Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022. This date aligns with the commission’s official timetable and schedule of activities, ensuring that the process remains at least 150 days ahead of the election day.
The Anambra State governorship election is a highly anticipated event, given the state’s strategic importance in Nigeria’s South-East region. With 16 parties in the race, the contest is expected to be competitive, drawing attention to issues such as economic development, security, and infrastructure. INEC’s proactive steps in releasing candidate details underscore the commission’s commitment to a credible and fair election, especially in light of past controversies surrounding Nigerian polls.
As the public begins to review the documents, political analysts suggest that this scrutiny could lead to early challenges and shape the dynamics of the campaign. Voters are encouraged to engage actively, as their participation in verifying information could play a pivotal role in fostering accountability and trust in the democratic process.
This development is a timely reminder of the mechanisms in place to protect electoral integrity, setting the stage for what promises to be a closely watched gubernatorial race in Anambra State.
