In this analysis, NICK DAZANG reflects on the recent off-season Anambra State gubernatorial election, held on November 8, 2025, highlighting how it marked a remarkable departure from the violence and disruptions that marred the 2017 and 2021 elections. He examines the conduct of the polls, the outcome and the lessons that can be drawn to strengthen future elections in Anambra and across Nigeria
Viewed against the backdrop of the 2017 and 2021 election cycles, the off-season Governorship election in Anambra State, held on November 8, 2025, marked a welcome departure. Unlike the previous elections, which were overshadowed by violence and intimidation, this election presented a brighter narrative and restored a sense of hope for the democratic process in the state.
A safer, more orderly election
In 2017, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its cohorts mobilised citizens against participating in the election. By 2021, Anambra had effectively become a war zone, with offices and facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) set ablaze, forcing trained ad hoc staff to flee for their safety. Presidential intervention was required for the elections to take place. Consequently, voter turnout was dismally low at 22% in 2017 and 10% in 2021.
Despite these concerns, polling in 2025 largely opened on time across the state. Except for minor incidents in Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka, and Onitsha South LGAs, the election proceeded peacefully. The Returning Officer was able to declare results promptly, reflecting the professional conduct of both the security agencies and deployed INEC staff.
Polling Unit results were uploaded seamlessly onto the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV), with nearly all results available before midnight. This transparency allowed the winner to be known quickly, with the collation and official declaration following established legal processes.
Soludo’s historic victory
The election was won back-to-back, marking the first time since 1999 that the incumbent, Professor Charles Chukwuemeka Soludo, of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), secured re-election. Soludo scored the highest votes cast in the election (422,644) and met the legal threshold by obtaining at least 25% of lawful votes in all 21 local government areas, exceeding the minimum requirement of two-thirds or fourteen LGAs.
This victory not only underscores Soludo’s popularity but also solidifies Anambra State as an APGA stronghold. The successes of this election should serve as a foundation for future elections, including the upcoming FCT Chairmanship and Area Council elections (February 21, 2026), Ekiti off-cycle Governorship election (June 20, 2026) and Osun off-cycle Governorship election (August 8, 2026).
Challenges, lessons for the future
Despite improvements, the election still highlighted persistent issues, including low voter turnout—even with a 100% increase from 2021—which remains below the national average of 28.63% recorded during the 2023 presidential election. Other challenges include widespread vote buying/trading, with at least four candidates, including Professor Soludo and runner-up Nicholas Ukachukwu, raising concerns about this persistent malpractice.
The brazenness of vote buying threatens the integrity of elections, subverts the sacred will of the people, and reinforces the urgent need for the establishment of an Electoral Offenses Commission and Tribunal to prosecute offenders and serve as a deterrent.
The 2025 election coincided with the advent of Professor Joash Amupitan as INEC Chairman, providing him with both an eye-opener and baptism of fire. With reforms needed to ensure mandatory electronic transmission of results, address perennial logistics challenges, and restore public trust in the Commission, Professor Amupitan faces the critical task of demonstrating competence and credibility ahead of the 2027 General Elections, especially amid speculation that they may be shifted to November 2026 due to post-election litigations.
In conclusion, the 2025 Anambra Governorship election demonstrated that a peaceful, credible, and largely orderly election is possible, even in a state with a turbulent electoral history. The lessons learned should guide INEC, political stakeholders, and the electorate in ensuring the continued strengthening of Nigeria’s democratic process.
Dazang, OON, a retired Director of Education and Publicity of the National Electoral Commission, INEC, writes from Abuja, via