With the four-year tenure of Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) expected to end in March 2026, residents of Anambra are gearing up to elect a new governor on Saturday, November 6, amid intense electioneering by six top contenders—the incumbent governor, Jude Ezenwafor, the PDP’s flag-bearer who won unopposed in the party’s primary, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and three others.

Although 16 candidates will contest the top political seat in Anambra, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Messrs Soludo, Ezenwafor, Ukachukwu, and George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP), Chuma Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Geoffrey Onyejegbu of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) are regarded as the major contenders, based on their parties’ popularity.

The fate of the candidates, who have rolled out their agendas—improving security, health, education, and the economy—to woo the Anambra electorate, remains uncertain until the close of the polls on Saturday.

Judging from past elections, characterised by irregularities, Nigerians view this off-cycle election as a litmus test for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under its new chairman, Joash Amupitan, who has vowed to reform the country’s electoral process and deliver credible and transparent polls.

Other candidates cleared by INEC are Echezona Oti of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Chioma Ifemeludike of the African Action Congress (AAC), Jeff Nweke of Action Alliance (AA), and Charles Onyeze of Accord Party (AP).

Also, Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Chukwudubem Nweke of the Action Peoples Party (APP), Jerry Okeke of the Boot Party (BP), Ndidi Olieh of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Martin Ugwoji of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and Vincent Chukwurah of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) were cleared to contest in the poll.

Peoples Gazette profiles the six candidates believed to be major contenders in the election based on their campaigns and visibility in the state.

Charles Soludo

Mr Soludo, 64, previously served as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. He hails from Isuofia in the Aguata Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Soludo has always touted himself as a technocrat with his performance in office, tilting towards a policy-driven approach and emphasis on the state master plan rooted in long-term growth.

Aside from his alignment with most of the ruling APC’s policies at the top, suggesting a cordial relationship with President Bola Tinubu, Mr Soludo may rely on a good public narrative of his achievements in the state, including building a rail system and smart cities, to bolster his chances of winning.

The governor is also from the southern district of the state, as demanded by the zoning arrangement, in addition to the advantage of incumbency. More importantly, the popularity of the ruling APGA in the state brightens its chances at the polls.

However, as an incumbent subject to criticisms of unmet promises, opponents may capitalize on Mr Soludo’s performance gaps, especially in terms of insecurity, to frustrate his chances at the poll.

Nicholas Ukachukwu (APC)

Mr Ukachukwu, a former member of the House of Representatives from the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency, hails from Osumenyi, Nnewi South Local Government Area.

His campaign website revealed that he holds a B.Sc. degree in business administration and founded SNECOU Group Limited, a business with investments in oil and gas, real estate, construction, agriculture, education, and media, having served as the former chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). His entrepreneurial and business background may appeal to voters, especially youths, by galvanising policies that encourage job creation, economic empowerment, and skills acquisition.

The candidate’s key strength lies in his affiliation with the APC, which positions him for exclusive support, which may bolster his chances during the election. This advantage, coupled with his pro-development ideology and campaigns, makes him a candidate to behold on Saturday.

However, Mr Ukachukwu hails from the same senatorial zone as Mr Soludo, suggesting possible tension due to zoning expectations. Voters may also frame him as an ‘elite politician,’ rather than a grassroots aspirant.

He had contested the governorship seat in 2006 and 2010, under the Progressive Peoples Alliance and Hope Democratic Party. His antecedents as a philanthropist, politician, and international businessman also position him as a candidate who can write a new history in Anambra on Saturday.

Jude Ezenwafor (PDP)

A real estate developer and trade consultant, Mr Ezenwafor, 49, is from Nnobi town in Idemili South Local Government Area. He became the PDP’s flag-bearer after running unopposed in the party’s primary, getting unanimous endorsement from 853 delegates across the state.

Mr. Ezenwafor’s career spans significant roles in Nigerian politics, including advisory positions to state governors and leadership within political parties. He had previously served as chief protocol officer to former Governor Peter Obi, chairman of the Labour Party in Anambra State, and contested the party ticket in 2007.

Mr Ezenwafor’s campaigns emphasise grassroots governance, inclusive development, and addressing socioeconomic challenges. The candidate portrays himself as a change agent, leveraging his administrative experience in governance, which makes him a potential option for Ndi Anambra.

However, competing against Mr Soludo and other heavyweights may test his grassroots popularity. The seemingly intractable internal wrangling in the PDP, which has seen key political stakeholders in the region change sides to maintain relevance, also remains a key factor that might shape Mr Ezenwafor’s chances at the poll.

Chuma Nwosu (ADC)

An economist and computer technologist with over 30 years of experience in the private sector, Mr Nwosu, 61, is from the Oduda Nnewichi community in Nnewi. He is currently the CEO of Jetlink Group Limited, an ICT firm operating in Nigeria, Ghana, and Liberia.

With a promise to transform Anambra, relying on a seven-point agenda called SHEEEMS, interpreted as Security, Health, Education, Economy, Environment, Management, and Social Welfare, Mr Nwosu will be running with Geoffrey Nwobu and is expected to enjoy support in the form of resources from seasoned politicians, having emerged from a mega coalition that was formed to dislodge President Bola Tinubu in 2027. The candidate has also been projected as a fresh energy, given his extensive experience in the information technology field.

However, Mr Nwosu has a relatively lesser name, especially when compared to Mr Soludo. Coming from a new coalition with a limited party structure compared to other larger parties in the state, the candidate may struggle to garner the support of major voters.

All eyes are on the economist and IT expert who has promised to be a generational shift away from old political guards and turn the aspirations of Ndi Anambra into reality. 

George Moghalu (LP)

Mr Moghalu, 63, is from Nnewi, Nnewi North LGA, and a former managing director and chief executive officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

He was once a chieftain of the APC and served as the national auditor of the party before running for the governorship of Anambra State in 2021. The candidate, who will be running for the much-coveted position alongside Veronica Okaro, has unveiled a 12-point action plan for the South-East state, covering areas such as the economy, education, and health, among others.

Mr Moghalu has been presented as an alternative to the current administration, promising change on key issues such as unemployment and infrastructural development. Emphasising grassroots governance, the candidate has also pledged to serve for only four years, if elected.

Despite these strengths, Mr Moghalu’s chances at the polls may be circumscribed by limited resources and contestation of his platform, given that the Labour Party’s popularity in Anambra is limited, especially when compared to the ruling APGA.

Yet Mr Moghalu capitalises on his antecedents in governance and promises to take Anambra to the next level.

Geoffrey Onyejegbu (NNPP)

Mr Onyejegbu, born in 1958 in Ichida, Anambra State, is a retired colonel of the Nigerian Army with a disciplined leadership background. He was once the director-general of the Bureau of Cooperatives and Rural Development in Abia State.

A professor and licensed architect, Mr Onyejegbu, 67, combines technical, academic, and strategic competencies, promoting innovation across sectors and earning respect as a scholar-practitioner who bridges theory and practice.

The candidate joined the All Progressives Congress as a founding member before contesting in the Anambra State gubernatorial election under the All Progressives Movement (APM). As a gubernatorial candidate under the NNPP platform in the Saturday election, Mr Onyejegbu positions himself as a visionary alternative to the current political establishment, seeking to offer Ndi Anambra a sustainable roadmap to growth and transformation.

Mr Onyejegbu’s political ideology also presents him as someone with a willingness to survive in troubled areas, as he consistently reiterated during his campaigns, promising to tame the insecurity ravaging the state. His emphasis on institutional planning and structured development, as informed by his background as an academic and architect, also demonstrates him as a force committed to change.

However, Mr Onyejegbu’s chances at the poll may be constrained by the limited popularity of the NNPP in Anambra, suggesting some struggles with party structures and voter base.

All these will be tested on Saturday when Anambra voters decide who will pilot their affairs for the next four years.