The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the governorship election in Anambra State will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the announcement on Thursday in Abuja during the fourth regular consultative meeting with political parties.
He stated, “While we prepare for the Ondo State governorship election, we remain mindful of our responsibilities regarding upcoming elections and electoral activities.”
Yakubu explained that Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 mandates the Commission to issue election notices no later than 360 days before the election date. “The last governorship election in Anambra was held on November 6, 2021. Consequently, the next governorship election is due next year. Therefore, the Commission has approved that the 2025 Anambra State governorship election will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025.”
He further noted that to comply with the 360-day requirement, the formal notice for the election will be published on November 13, 2024. Party primaries are scheduled from March 20 to April 10, 2025. The candidate nomination portal will open at 9:00 AM on April 18, 2025, and close at 6:00 PM on May 12, 2025. The final list of candidates will be published on June 9, 2025, and public campaigning will commence on June 11, 2025, ending at midnight on November 6, 2025.
Voting will occur across all 5,720 polling units in the state on November 8, 2025. INEC will soon provide further details on other electoral activities, including voter registration, transfers, and replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
“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.
Regarding the upcoming governorship election in Ondo State, Yakubu noted that INEC has successfully completed 10 out of the 13 activities outlined in the timetable for that election. “The remaining activities include the publication of the Notice of Poll, the last day of campaigning, and Election Day. Although we have already published the timetable, we are including copies in your folders for guidance,” he said.