The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 16 of Nigeria’s 19 registered political parties will participate in the Anambra State governorship election.
Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee confirmed this in a statement on Thursday.
Olumekun said the commission received submissions from 16 political parties that successfully uploaded their candidates’ details using Form EC9 before the deadline of 6:00 p.m. on 12 May for the election scheduled for 8 November.
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He recalled that INEC earlier published the credentials of those nominated following the conclusion of the parties’ primary elections.
Among the participating parties are Accord, represented by Charles Onyeze and Apollonia Ezeadili, and Action Alliance, which fielded Japhet Ndeke and Anayochukwu Obi.
The African Action Congress submitted Grace Ifemeludike and Ikechukwu Mgbemena, while the African Democratic Congress was represented by John Nwosu and Ndubuisi Nwobu.
The All Progressives Congress nominated Nicholas Ukachukwu and Lilian Ekwunife, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance will be represented by Chukwuma Soludo and Gilbert Ibezim.
Allied Peoples Movement presented Echezona Otti and Samuel Ezeigwe, while the Action Peoples Party nominated Cukwudubem Ndeke and Ebele Okeke.
The Boot Party submitted Jerry Okeke and Happiness Ugboma, the Labour Party will be represented by Nnadubem Moghalu and Veronica Okaro, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party nominated Geoffrey Onyejegbu and Victor Arinze.
The National Rescue Movement fielded Ndidi Olieh and Reginald Egbe, the Peoples Democratic Party will contest with Jude Ezenwafor and Chukwudi Okeke, and the Social Democratic Party submitted Vincent Chukwurah and Venatious Odira.
The Young Progressives Party nominated Chukwuka Chukwuma and Izuchukwu Okagbue, while the Zenith Labour Party is represented by Martin Ugwoji and Faith Obi.
Olumekun explained that in accordance with Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, political parties were allowed to substitute candidates who voluntarily withdrew before the cut-off date of 2 June.
He confirmed that the commission had now published the final list of candidates who will be contesting the Anambra governorship poll.
He added that no political party nominated a candidate with a disability and noted that the ages of those contesting range from 36 to 71 years.
The comprehensive list of candidates, including their parties, genders, ages, and academic qualifications, has been uploaded on INEC’s official website and social media platforms for public access.
He further stated that no further withdrawals or replacements of candidates will be permitted, except in cases where a candidate or running mate dies before the election day, in line with the provisions of Section 34(1) of the Electoral Act.
He said that political campaigns will commence on 11 June and end at midnight on 6 November, two days before the election, as stipulated in Section 94(1) of the Act.
Olumekun stressed that all political parties and candidates must be granted equal access to public facilities for campaign activities, including media broadcasts, outdoor advertising, public rallies, and meetings.
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He reminded stakeholders that Section 95(2) of the Electoral Act prohibits the misuse of incumbency to benefit or disadvantage any party or candidate.
He expressed the commission’s confidence that the Anambra governorship election will take place as scheduled on 8 November.
