Commission urges public scrutiny of credentials as final list awaits June publication
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally disclosed the personal particulars of all 16 governorship candidates and their running mates contesting the 8 November 2025 Anambra State governorship election.
In a statement issued on Saturday by Mr Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC confirmed that the names, academic qualifications, and other documents submitted by candidates have been made public in accordance with the Electoral Act 2022.
“As provided in Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and listed as item 4 on the timetable and schedule of activities for the election, INEC has published the personal particulars of each candidate and their running mate at its state headquarters and the 21 Local Government offices across Anambra,” Mr Olumekun stated.
He explained that the move followed the completion of party primaries by all 16 participating political parties and the successful upload of candidate nomination forms by 6:00 p.m. on 12 May the deadline after which the online portal for submissions was automatically closed.
The commission said the disclosure was made through the display of Form EC9, which includes each candidate’s sworn declaration, educational certificates, and other relevant documents required for qualification.
The aim, according to INEC, is to ensure transparency and allow for public oversight.
“We appeal to Nigerians to scrutinise the documents,” Mr Olumekun said. “Any aspirant who participated in his or her party’s primaries and has reasonable grounds to believe that the information provided by a candidate is false can challenge the nomination in a Federal High Court as provided in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022.”
According to Section 29 of the Electoral Act 2022, political parties are required to submit the names and credentials of their candidates not later than 180 days before the date of an election. The law also mandates the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the personal particulars of each candidate within seven days of receiving the nominations, making them available for public scrutiny.
This requirement forms part of broader legal reforms introduced to strengthen the credibility and transparency of Nigeria’s electoral process. The reforms include clearer timelines, digital submissions of candidate documents, and enhanced opportunities for pre-election litigation.
According to the schedule released by the commission, the final list of governorship candidates is expected to be published on 9 June 2025, which is at least 150 days before the election date. This action, Mr Olumekun noted, is also in line with Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act and item 7 of the official timetable for the Anambra governorship election.
With Anambra being one of Nigeria’s politically significant states in the South-East, the 2025 poll is expected to be closely contested, especially with major parties fielding well-known political figures. The state has a long-standing history of intense electoral competition and strategic voter mobilisation that often influences both regional and national political discourse.
INEC’s recent publication of the personal particulars of 16 governorship candidates and their running mates on 18 May 2025 has further intensified political interest. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), this was done in line with the Electoral Act 2022, following the conclusion of primaries by all 16 political parties.
The commission explained that the information published across its state and local government offices includes sworn declarations, academic qualifications, and other submitted credentials. INEC called on members of the public to scrutinise the documents and raise any valid concerns in court as provided by the law.
INEC has reiterated its commitment to conducting a credible, inclusive, and law-abiding electoral process. Political parties, candidates, and voters are now urged to adhere strictly to the legal framework guiding the electioneering process in the months leading up to the November poll.
