Mohammed Shosanya
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the Anambra State governorship election for Saturday, November 8, 2025.
Its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during the fourth regular consultative meeting with political parties held on Thursday in Abuja.
He emphasized that Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 mandates the commission to announce elections no later than 360 days before the scheduled date. This requirement applies to both general elections and off-cycle governorship elections.
He noted: “As you are aware, the last governorship election in Anambra State took place on November 6, 2021. With the passage of time, the next governorship election is approaching. Therefore, the commission has approved that the Anambra State governorship election will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
“In compliance with the mandatory requirement of 360 days, the formal notice for the upcoming election will be published on November 13, 2024. The party primaries are scheduled to take place from March 20, 2025, to April 10, 2025.
“The candidate nomination portal will open at 9:00 AM on April 18, 2025, and will close at 6:00 PM on May 12, 2025. The final list of candidates will be published on June 9, 2025. Campaigning by political parties will commence on June 11, 2025, and will conclude at midnight on November 6, 2025.
“Voting in the upcoming Anambra State governorship election is scheduled to occur in all 5,720 polling units across the state on Saturday, November 8, 2025. In the weeks leading up to the election, the commission will announce additional details regarding various electoral activities, including the registration of new voters, the transfer of voters, and the replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).”
He emphasized that a comprehensive timetable and schedule of activities for the 2025 Anambra State governorship election will be made available on the commission’s official website and its social media platforms.
Mr Yusuf Dantalle,the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has reiterated the council’s demand for the abolition of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), labeling the elections they conduct as a “sham” and a deliberate assault on the nation’s democracy.
Mr Dantalle,the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), condemned the recent local government election process, stating, “What we are witnessing is not merely a coronation of candidates from the ruling party; it amounts to a daylight robbery of the people’s votes and mandates for chairmanship and councilorship positions.”
He emphasized the need for reform in the electoral process, advocating that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should take over the responsibility of conducting local government elections across Nigeria, similar to its role in federal and state elections.
He added:”There is no need to establish another body for local government polls.The National Assembly should not dissipate energy and resources in establishing any local government electoral commission, instead it should strengthen INEC to conduct all elections in the country. The commission’s elections may not be perfect; they are far better and credible than the charades showcased by SIECs acting as rubber stamps of the governors who appointed them.”
Dantalle stated that it was time they stop using the judiciary to make mockery of the hard earned democracy.
He said:“The National Assembly should refrain from expending energy and resources on the establishment of local government electoral commissions. Instead, it should focus on strengthening the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all elections across the country. While INEC’s elections may not be flawless, they are certainly more credible than the farcical processes often displayed by State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), which frequently act as rubber stamps for the governors who appoint them.”
He emphasized urgent need to stop undermining democracy through the misuse of the judiciary.
He criticized the frequent issuance of conflicting orders and judgments by courts of coordinate jurisdiction, stating that it creates the impression that justice is for sale.
“Enough of these provocative judicial somersaults that have brought our emerging democracy into disrepute. This serves as a wake-up call for immediate judicial reform to hold corrupt judicial officers accountable and restore the courts as the Temple of Justice, the last hope for all aggrieved citizens,” Dantalle declared.
