By Abiola Olawale
The highly anticipated Anambra State gubernatorial election is officially underway this morning, Saturday, November 8, 2025, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commences voter accreditation and voting across the 21 local government areas of the state.
Millions of registered Anambra voters are expected to head to the polling units to elect a new governor from a field of 16 candidates, including the incumbent seeking re-election.
Reports from major towns like Awka, Onitsha, and Nnewi indicate that electoral officials arrived early at various polling units, with the process beginning in many locations around 8:30 a.m.
The New Diplomat reports that 16 candidates are currently vying for the governorship seat in the ongoing election in Anambra State.
Those cleared by INEC include Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), and John Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Also cleared by INEC are George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP), Echezona Oti of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Ms. Chioma Ifemeludike of the African Action Congress (AAC), Jeff Nweke of Action Alliance (AA), Charles Onyeze of Accord Party (AP), Geoff Onyejegbu of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Jude Ezenwafor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Others are Chukwudubem Nweke of the Action Peoples Party (APP), Jerry Okeke of the Boot Party (BP), Ndidi Olieh of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Martin Ugwoji of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and Vincent Chukwurah of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The election is being held in 5,718 polling units across the 21 local government areas of Anambra State.
Over 45,000 security personnel, including police, army, and civil defense units, have been deployed to secure the 5,718 polling units across the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
16 governorship candidates from various political parties, including the incumbent governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, are battling for the highest seat in Anambra
The destiny of the state rests on the over 2.8 million registered voters, whose vote will dictate the mandate given to the new governor.
98.8% of registered voters have collected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), one of the highest collection rates ever recorded in Nigeria.
Anambra State is the first election under the leadership of the newly elected INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan.
