Key Findings from the 2025 Anambra Governorship Election
A comprehensive report by the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), a civil society organisation focused on promoting good governance, democratic rights, public policy, and public engagement, has highlighted significant financial and procedural issues during the 2025 Anambra off-cycle governorship election. The report, titled Key Lessons from the 2025 Anambra Governorship Election, was presented at an Election Integrity Summit in Abuja.
The findings reveal that candidates and political parties spent over N19.6 billion during the election, raising concerns about campaign finance transparency and electoral integrity. According to the report, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party, and All Progressives Congress (APC) were the top spenders, with APGA and its candidate Charles Soludo leading with over N3.4 billion, followed by the Labour Party and George Moghalu with N2.3 billion, and the APC and Nicholas Ukachukwu spending N1.9 billion.
The report noted that these figures exceeded the N1 billion limit stipulated in the Electoral Act 2022. KDI called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen monitoring of campaign finances and ensure compliance with legal frameworks.
Campaign Spending and Election-Day Expenses
The report detailed that N8.89 billion was spent on campaign activities, while N10.9 billion went into election-day expenses. Additionally, 42% of total election spending was attributed to third parties, highlighting the influence of external actors in the electoral process.
KDI deployed 50 community-based monitors between June and November 2025, using a Parallel Estimation Technique to track campaign spending, election-day mobilisation, third-party involvement, and inducement patterns. This method allowed for a more accurate assessment of the election’s financial landscape.
Irregularities in Election Management
The report identified several irregularities in election management, including discrepancies in voter figures across different INEC data sources. Specifically, 412 polling units had mismatched voter numbers on Form EC8A. In addition, arithmetic errors in vote tabulation were found in 635 polling units, with 13,428 missing ballots and cases of overvoting in 443 polling units, affecting 53,666 votes.
Despite these irregularities, Bukola Idowu, KDI’s executive director, stated that the election result remained unaffected because the margin of victory exceeded 300,000 votes. However, the findings raised serious concerns about accountability and the integrity of the electoral process.
Electoral Violence and Security Concerns
The report documented 31 incidents of electoral violence between January and November 2025, with 35 cases reported on election day. Oyi and Njikoka local government areas recorded the highest number of incidents, underscoring the need for improved security measures and conflict resolution mechanisms.
Calls for Reform and Collaboration
At the summit, Senior Governance Adviser at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Chris Okeke, urged stakeholders to translate the report’s findings into actionable reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections. He emphasized the importance of addressing systemic challenges to ensure fair and transparent elections.
Queen-Elizabeth Agwu, the Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner, called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders and encouraged citizens to report any electoral irregularities they observe. She stressed the critical role of civic participation in maintaining electoral integrity.
In his keynote address, Judge Boissie Henry Mbha, chairperson of the Africa Electoral Justice Network (AEJN), highlighted the broader impact of Nigeria’s democracy on West Africa. He called for the strengthening of Nigeria’s electoral ecosystem to ensure credible, transparent, and accountable elections.
Conclusion
The KDI report serves as a crucial reference point for understanding the complexities of the 2025 Anambra governorship election. It highlights both the financial scale of the contest and the procedural challenges that must be addressed to improve future elections. As the country prepares for the 2027 general elections, the lessons learned from this report will be essential in shaping a more robust and resilient electoral framework.
