The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the race for the Anambra State Governorship election is set to heat up as political parties prepare to hold their primaries from March 20 to April 10, 2025.
The announcement came during INEC’s weekly meeting on Thursday, where the Commission reviewed its preparations for the off-cycle election scheduled for November 8, 2025.
INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, disclosed that 12 out of the 19 registered political parties have already submitted their primary election schedules. However, seven parties are yet to comply, prompting INEC to issue a reminder for immediate action.
“The early submission of schedules allows the Commission to effectively monitor the primaries in line with Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022,” Olumekun stated. He emphasized that adherence to the proposed timelines is critical to avoiding logistical challenges and unnecessary costs.
The Commission also warned against last-minute changes to the dates, venues, or modes of primaries, which often disrupt INEC’s monitoring efforts. “Sudden changes lead to avoidable demobilization and remobilization of our staff, increasing the cost of monitoring and overall election conduct,” Olumekun added.
The Anambra Governorship election, one of the most anticipated off-cycle polls in Nigeria, has already seen significant political activity since INEC published the Notice of Election in November 2024. With the primaries just weeks away, political parties are expected to intensify their internal processes to select candidates who will vie for the state’s top seat.
INEC reiterated its commitment to ensuring a transparent, credible, and inclusive electoral process. The Commission called on all stakeholders, including political parties, candidates, and the electorate, to cooperate fully to ensure the success of the exercise.
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