The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the Anambra State governorship election for Saturday, November 8, 2025.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the announcement during the commission’s quarterly consultative meeting with political parties in Abuja on Thursday.

Yakubu explained that the date was set in accordance with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates INEC to issue a notice of elections at least 360 days before the election.

Advertorial

He noted that the last governorship election in Anambra was held on November 6, 2021, and that it is now time to prepare for the next election.

“Consequently, the Commission has approved that the 2025 Anambra State Governorship election will hold on Saturday, 8th November 2025,” Yakubu stated.

Advertorial

According to the INEC timetable, the official notice of the election will be published on November 13, 2024.

Party primaries will take place between March 20 and April 10, 2025, while the portal for candidate nominations will open on April 18 and close on May 12, 2025.

The final list of candidates is expected to be released on June 9, 2025, with campaigns officially starting two days later, on June 11.

Campaigning will continue until November 6, 2025, just two days before the election.

Advertorial

Yakubu also mentioned that voting will occur across all 5,720 polling units in the state, and that further details on electoral activities, including voter registration, transfer processes, and replacement of PVCs, will be shared soon.

The Chairman urged political parties to align their timetables with INEC’s schedule to ensure smooth coordination for monitoring primaries and campaign activities.

Advertorial

In addition, Yakubu provided updates on the Ondo governorship election, noting that INEC has completed 10 out of 13 scheduled activities for that election.

The remaining tasks include publishing the notice of poll, the final campaign day, and election day.

He also highlighted the commencement of PVC distribution in Ondo State following the most recent voter registration exercise.

Advertorial

Meanwhile, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, emphasized the need for INEC to improve its performance in the upcoming Ondo State election.

He called on all stakeholders to participate in voter education, ensure a transparent election process, and alleviate the hardships faced by many Nigerians to boost voter participation.

Advertorial

Dantalle urged political parties to focus on issue-based campaigns and avoid divisive politics, stressing the importance of credible, peaceful elections that meet international standards.

Lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara have vowed to invoke the provisions of the 1999 Constitution against 25 former Assembly members, including embattled Martin Amaewhule.

The legislators accused the former members of undermining the integrity of the House by defecting to another political party, a move which they argue disqualifies them from holding their seats.

Advertorial

In a motion presented by the House Leader, Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari, he cited Section 99 of the Constitution, urging the House to take immediate action against the former lawmakers for their defection.

Sokari called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize bye-elections to fill the vacant seats of the former members.

Adopting the motion, Deputy Speaker Hon. Adolphus Orubienimigha insisted that the House must hold the former members accountable if they continued to act as lawmakers.

Speaker Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo also criticized INEC for failing to conduct the bye-elections, despite multiple requests made by the Assembly in December 2023 and May 2024. He urged INEC to act swiftly to ensure the constituencies are represented.

Meanwhile, the Assembly has approved Governor Fubara’s request to appoint five new special advisers.

The appointments, which are intended to accelerate the state’s development, were endorsed during the House’s 64th legislative sitting.

Advertorial

In related news, a political group, The Supreme Council for SIM Worldwide, has accused supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of stirring up political unrest in Rivers State.

Former NDDC Acting Managing Director, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, called on President Bola Tinubu to rein in Wike, arguing that his actions could undermine the peace in Rivers State.

The group accused Wike of inciting tensions in the state, despite having served as governor for eight years.

They urged the people of Rivers to resist any attempts by a few individuals to manipulate state resources for personal gain.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is deliberately fueling internal divisions within opposition political parties to maintain control of the country beyond the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during the flag-off campaign for the NNPP’s Ondo State governorship candidate, Olugbenga Edema, in Akure on Thursday, NNPP National Chairman Ajuji Ahmed accused the APC of orchestrating crises in opposition parties to weaken their structures and disrupt plans for a potential merger to challenge the ruling party.

Advertorial

“The APC is working hard to ensure it wins the 2027 general election, and there is clear evidence that they are meddling in the affairs of other parties,” Ahmed stated.

He called on opposition parties to safeguard their unity and integrity to remain a formidable force against the APC before and after the next elections.

Ahmed further revealed that the NNPP is open to forming alliances with other opposition parties in preparation for the 2027 polls, stressing that the APC must be ready to hand over power after President Bola Tinubu’s tenure.

Advertorial

“We are ready to collaborate with other political parties in any coalition effort that may arise ahead of the elections,” he added.

He urged Ondo State voters to rally behind Edema, describing him as a committed party loyalist with policies designed to address the economic challenges and hardships caused by the APC government.

Olugbenga Edema, the NNPP governorship candidate, also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a fair and transparent election, warning against any manipulation of results similar to what the party alleged occurred in Edo State.

Advertorial

“INEC must provide a level playing field for all parties. The people of Ondo State are highly enlightened, and we will protect our votes,” Edema declared.

He also cautioned the electoral body to respect the provisions of the Electoral Act, which mandates that vote counting should be done at the polling units, warning that any attempt to manipulate results in Ondo will not be tolerated.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday introduced its 15th witness in the ongoing trial of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, over charges of money laundering.

The witness, Mr. Joseph Machleb, who is not proficient in English, was questioned by the EFCC’s lead prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN).

Advertorial

Machleb, a resident of Akure and a mechanic for Samchase Nigeria Ltd., testified that he co-founded JJ Technical Services Ltd. with his elder brother, but handed over the company’s operations to a man named Azeez Michelle to seek contracts.

He stated that he had no knowledge of the company’s involvement in property transactions.

Advertorial

Under cross-examination by the defense counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), Machleb admitted to authorizing Michelle to handle certain transactions on behalf of the company, following the presentation of a signed document dated November 20, 2013, which was accepted as evidence (Exhibit A20).

Despite this, the witness claimed he was unaware of Michelle executing any transactions for the company.

The defense further questioned Machleb about his knowledge of Fayose, to which he responded that he had only seen him on television and had no business dealings with him or his administration.

Advertorial

Machleb also denied having any interaction with one Biodun Agbele, who is implicated in the case.

Fayose is facing charges of alleged N6.9 billion fraud and money laundering, which include accusations of receiving N1.2 billion to fund his 2014 gubernatorial campaign, receiving $5 million from former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, and using proceeds of crime to acquire properties in Lagos and Abuja.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was initially granted bail in 2018.

The case, which is now before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, will continue on October 18, 2024.