The 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election: A Crucial Moment for Democracy
As the 2025 Anambra State governorship election approaches on Saturday, November 8, the political atmosphere in the state has become increasingly charged. Major candidates are making final efforts to secure votes, leveraging various factors that could influence the democratic process and ultimately determine the outcome.
The governorship election is more than just a political contest—it represents an opportunity for Anambra’s citizens to shape their future and define the direction of their state. Anambra has a unique electoral history, having conducted off-cycle elections in March 2006 after the Appeal Court annulled the previous governor’s mandate. This event led to Peter Obi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) taking office, which disrupted the regular electoral calendar and set a precedent for future elections in the state.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 16 candidates from 16 political parties are vying for the position, including two female candidates. The incumbent, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, is seeking re-election under the APGA banner. Other prominent candidates include Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr George Moughalu of the Labour Party, John Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress, Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party, and others.
The Nigerian Police Force has deployed 45,000 security personnel to ensure a peaceful and secure election environment. Commissioner of Police Abayomi Shogunle, in charge of the Anambra State Governorship Election, convened a strategic meeting with heads of all security agencies to coordinate efforts and enhance operational structures for the election. The emphasis was on real-time intelligence sharing, joint patrols, and maintaining professional conduct before, during, and after the poll.
A peace accord was signed by political parties and candidates, pledging to uphold non-violence and respect the election’s outcome. The agreement, organized by the Kukah Centre under the National Peace Committee, was signed at the International Convention Centre in Awka. Attendees included INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, representatives of security agencies, traditional rulers, and civil society groups.
Prof. Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting a credible, transparent, and peaceful election. He noted that over 2.8 million registered voters are expected to participate, with about 63.9% of Permanent Voter Cards collected in the last exercise. INEC has also addressed logistical challenges, deploying 24,000 ad hoc staff across 5,718 polling units, ensuring that materials arrive by 7 am and voting begins at 8:30 am.
Despite these preparations, concerns remain about voter apathy, vote-buying, and potential violence. The 2021 election saw a historic low turnout of 10.2%, with less than 200,000 of 2.7 million registered voters participating. Civil society groups and political analysts have raised alarms about vote-buying practices, particularly concerning the APGA candidate, Prof. Soludo, whose cash incentives for votes have sparked controversy.
Other challenges include fears of insecurity, misinformation during campaigns, and accessibility for persons with disabilities. Candidates like Johnson Okoye and Ebuka Onyekwelu have called on INEC and law enforcement to monitor and curb such practices. Mr. Okoye Chuka of the Centre for Human Rights Advocacy has emphasized that the Electoral Act 2022 explicitly prohibits any inducement or vote-buying that undermines free and fair elections.
In response to allegations, the APGA’s National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, dismissed claims of vote-buying, stating that the cash promise aims to foster healthy competition within the party. However, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) highlighted that the election outcome will be influenced by factors such as zoning formula, incumbency, federal influence, personality, insecurity, voter apathy, and vote-buying.
The unwritten zoning formula, introduced by the APGA administration, dictates that power should rotate among Anambra’s three senatorial districts. Anambra Central, with the largest voting population, is expected to play a decisive role. Candidates from Anambra South—Soludo, Ukachukwu, Moughalu, and Nwosu—are likely to split votes in their strongholds, while the YPP candidate, Chukwuma, is expected to perform well in Anambra North.
With the stakes high, the neutrality of INEC and the integrity of law enforcement agencies will be critical in ensuring a fair and credible election. Any perceived bias could lead to disputes and further erode public trust in the electoral process. As the election day draws near, the actions of political leaders, security agencies, and the electorate will shape not only the immediate outcome but also the long-term political landscape of Anambra.