Prof. Yakubu explained that the election timeline complies with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates the publication of the election notice at least 360 days prior to the election. The formal notice for the Anambra governorship election will be published on November 13, 2024.
“The last governorship election in Anambra State took place on November 6, 2021, and the next one is due by the passage of time,” Yakubu stated. “As such, the Commission has approved November 8, 2025, as the date for the next election.”
Timeline for Political Activities
According to INEC, the schedule for party primaries will run from March 20 to April 10, 2025, while the candidate nomination process will open on April 18, 2025, and close on May 12, 2025. Political parties are expected to commence their campaigns in public from June 11, 2025, with the campaign window closing at midnight on November 6, 2025, just two days before the election.
The election will be held across all 5,720 polling units in Anambra State. INEC will soon upload a detailed timetable and schedule of activities to its website and social media platforms.
“In the coming weeks, the Commission will also provide information on other electoral activities, such as the registration of new voters, transfer of voters, and the replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs),” Yakubu added.
Ondo Governorship Election Preparations
As preparations for the Ondo State Governorship election on November 16, 2024, intensify, Yakubu provided an update, noting that 10 out of the 13 scheduled activities for the Ondo election have already been completed. The distribution of voters’ registers to political parties has been finalized, and PVC collection in Ondo commenced on October 17, 2024, continuing until October 29, 2024.
INEC is working closely with political parties to ensure alignment of their timelines with the Commission’s schedule to avoid last-minute rushes. “I urge political parties to adhere strictly to INEC’s timetable to ensure smooth operations and allow sufficient time for the Commission to deploy personnel and resources,” Yakubu advised.
Calls for Transparency and Voter Mobilization
During the meeting, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Dantalle, called for greater transparency and efficiency in the upcoming Ondo election. He highlighted the growing disillusionment among Nigerians due to the rising cost of living and political tensions, which have led to a decline in voter turnout in recent elections.
Dantalle urged political parties to focus on issue-based campaigns and refrain from divisive politics. He also called for enhanced voter education and mobilization efforts, stating that IPAC would take a leading role in this effort ahead of the Ondo election.
He emphasized the importance of addressing logistical issues such as the late arrival of election materials and technical glitches with the BVAS and IReV portals, which could undermine the credibility of the elections.
Reform Proposals
Dantalle also reiterated IPAC’s call for the dissolution of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), criticizing the elections conducted by state electoral bodies as a “deliberate assault on democracy.” He suggested that INEC should take over the responsibility of conducting local government elections across Nigeria to prevent state governments from using SIECs to favor ruling party candidates.
The Ondo governorship election will take place on November 16, 2024, as scheduled.
