By Vincent Ujumadu
After months of intense campaigning across communities in Anambra State, the 2.8 million eligible voters will finally decide the next governor as they head to the polls today, November 8. While the incumbent governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, visited nearly all the state’s 179 communities, many other candidates focused mainly on consultations with selected stakeholders.
Though insecurity by non-state actors initially threatened the campaign season, Governor Soludo’s security interventions have largely restored calm. Areas previously inaccessible during the last governorship election—such as Ihiala, Nnewi South, and Orumba South—are now witnessing large turnouts at campaign rallies.
Sixteen candidates are contesting the election. They include:
Prof. Chukwuma Soludo (APGA)
Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu (APC)
Sir Paul Chukwuma (YPP)
Mr. John Nwosu (ADC)
Dr. George Moghalu (LP)
Oti Echezona (APM)
Chief Jeff Nweke (AA)
Charles Onyeze (Accord)
Geoffrey Onyejegbu (NNPP)
Jude Ezenwafor (PDP)
Chukwududem Nweke (APP)
Jerry Okeke (Boot Party)
Ugwoji (ZLP)
Vincent Chukwurah (SDP)
Ms. Chioma Ifemeludike (AAC)
Ndidi Olieh (NRM)
Only a handful were visibly active throughout the campaign season, with analysts identifying six as serious contenders. Among them, Governor Soludo is widely viewed as the front-runner.
The Candidates
Professor Chukwuma Soludo — APGA
As the incumbent, Soludo holds a natural advantage. A Professor of Economics and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, he is contesting under APGA, which has dominated Anambra politics since 2006. Soludo has described himself as having “opponents, not opposition,” reflecting his confidence in broad acceptance across the state.
His running mate, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, a medical doctor and younger brother to the Anglican Archbishop of the Province on the Niger, hails from Anambra Central. Soludo is banking on his performance in road construction, healthcare, education, and the restoration of security—areas in which the state saw significant challenges at the beginning of his administration.
He has also promised to hand over power to Anambra Central after his second term, in line with the state’s zoning arrangement. Many argue that voting for another candidate from Anambra South could extend the zone’s hold on power by an additional eight years.
Nicholas Ukachukwu — APC
A businessman-turned-politician, Ukachukwu emerged as the APC candidate after a contentious primary. Despite internal party disagreements, he ran an extensive campaign across all 21 LGAs. With Senator Uche Ekwunife as his running mate, his ticket commands experience.
Though Ukachukwu has criticized the APGA administration, many voters believe Soludo has made visible progress compared to the state’s condition before his tenure.
Sir Paul Chukwuma — YPP
Formerly a strong aspirant within the APC, Chukwuma defected to the YPP after alleging manipulations in the primaries. His entry greatly boosted the visibility of the YPP. His running mate, Uzu Okagbue—a former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Willie Obiano—is known for his grassroots influence.
From Anambra North, Chukwuma argues that competence, not zoning, should determine leadership. His energetic campaign has positioned him as a possible surprise contender.
Mr. John Nwosu — ADC
An ICT expert from Nnewi in Anambra South, Nwosu is paired with Dr. Ndubuisi Nwobu of Awka, a seasoned politician and former PDP state chairman. Nwosu initially sought the LP ticket before the party’s internal crisis pushed him to ADC—costing him the backing of former governor Peter Obi.
Nevertheless, he maintains a strong coalition and has presented a detailed manifesto drawing support from technocrats and political actors.
Dr. George Moghalu — Labour Party
Also from Nnewi, Moghalu is an experienced politician and former national auditor of the APC. The immediate past Director General of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), he enjoys support from Peter Obi, though Obi has publicly wished all candidates well.
Attempts to get either Moghalu or Nwosu to step down for the other failed. His running mate is a respected educationist from Onitsha.
Jeff Nweke — Action Alliance (AA)
Ozo Jeff Nweke from Awka is a businessman and security expert. Known for preaching non-violence throughout the campaign, he was among the first to pay the mandatory billboard fee. Though energetic in his mobilisation, many believe his greater political prospects lie in the future, especially as the zoning rotation may favour Anambra Central next.
State Prepared for High Participation
Unlike in 2021, when insecurity prevented elections in some communities, every part of Anambra is now considered safe. Enthusiasm is high, and analysts predict a significantly improved voter turnout.
Political parties have held last-minute meetings for mobilisation, while agents thronged the INEC headquarters in Awka on Thursday to collect accreditation materials. Hotels across Awka and neighbouring towns are fully booked with observers and journalists arriving in large numbers.
Polls Predict Soludo Ahead — But Voter Turnout Remains Key
A recent poll by the African Development Institute of Research Methodology (ADIRM), conducted between October 1 and 31, 2025, places Soludo in a commanding lead. It projects:
Soludo (APGA): 85.7%
Ukachukwu (APC): 7.6%
Moghalu (LP): 5.0%
Other candidates: 1.7%
The poll sampled 73,500 registered voters across all 21 LGAs. Respondents highlighted Soludo’s visible projects—roads, urban renewal, youth skills initiatives, and improved education access—as major reasons for their support.
More than 90% of respondents expressed readiness to vote, indicating growing public confidence in the electoral process.
However, analysts caution that turnout, last-minute mobilisation, and security deployments could influence outcomes—particularly in major urban LGAs such as Onitsha, Nnewi, Ihiala and Awka.
“Polls are scientific snapshots, not election results. The ground game will matter in these areas,” one analyst noted.
The post Anambra Showdown 2025: Candidates’ fate now in the hands of voters appeared first on Vanguard News.
