AnambraDecides2025: Soludo faces 15 challengers as polls open across state.
Story by Okafor Vivian
The people of Anambra State head to the polls today, Saturday, November 8, 2025, to elect their next governor in what promises to be a closely watched and competitive race.
Anambra’s governorship poll is one of Nigeria’s off cycle elections, held separately from the general election timetable. Other states with similar schedules include Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo, Osun, Ondo, Edo, and Ekiti.
The state joined the off cycle election list in 2003, following a landmark legal battle that saw the Court of Appeal in Enugu nullify the victory of Chris Ngige of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and declare Peter Obi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as the rightful winner after two years of litigation.
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Sixteen Candidates in the Race
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), sixteen candidates representing different political parties are contesting in this year’s election. They include:
Onyeeze Chidi — A
Nweke Ezechukwu Japhet – AA
Ifemeludike Chioma Grace – AAC
Nwosu Chima John – ADC
Ukachukwu Nicholas – APC
Soludo Charles – APGA
Otti Cyprian Echezona – APM
Nweke Christopher Chukwudubem – APP
Okeke Chika Jerry – BP
Moghalu George – LP
Onyejgbu Geoffrey – NNPP
Ndidi Christy Olieh – NRM
Ezenwafor Jude – PDP
Chukwurah Vincent – SDP
Chukwuma Paul Chukwuka – YPP
Ugwoji Uchenna – ZLP
INEC Reaffirms Readiness
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, has reiterated the commission’s full readiness to conduct a credible, transparent, and peaceful election.
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He disclosed that the commission has deployed 24,000 personnel across the state to manage the voting process. Elections will hold in 5,718 out of 5,720 polling units, with two polling units excluded due to the absence of registered voters.
The Stakes
The incumbent governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, running on the APGA platform, remains a major contender in the race. Analysts say his performance in office and APGA’s deep political roots in Anambra make him the candidate to beat.
However, candidates from the APC, PDP, and Labour Party are also expected to put up a strong fight as voters decide the future direction of the state.
READ ALSO: APGA dominates Anambra LG elections, wins all 21 chairmanship, councilorship positions
Stay tuned for live updates, results, and analysis as voting, counting, and collation unfold across Anambra State.
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