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Government of Anambra State

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Government of Anambra State
Polity typeSub-national administrative division (federated state)
Part ofNigeria
ConstitutionConstitution of Nigeria
Legislative branch
NameAnambra State Senate
TypeUnicameral
Meeting placeAnambra State House of Assembly
Presiding officerSomtochukwu Udeze, Rt. Hon
Executive branch
Head of state and government
TitleGovernor
CurrentlyCharles Soludo
AppointerElection
Cabinet
NameExecutive Council of Anambra State
LeaderGovernor
Deputy leader Deputy Governor
HeadquartersAnambra State Government House
Judicial branch
NameAnambra State Judiciary
Anambra State High Court
Chief judgeOnochie Anyachebelu
SeatAnthony I. Iguh High Court Complex, Awka

The government of Anambra State is separated into three distinct branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.The powers of Anambra State are vested by the Constitution of Nigeria, enacted in 1999 and amended in 2011, in a unicameral state legislature –the Anambra State House of Assembly–, the Governor, and the state courts, headed the Anambra State High Court.

Executive branch

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Main articles: Governor of Anambra State and Deputy Governor of Anambra State

Governor

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The Governor of Anambra State is head of the executive branch.[1] The office of governor is an elected position, for which elected officials serve four-year terms. Governors cannot be elected to more than two consecutive terms, but there is no limit on the total number of terms they may serve. They must have also attained the age of thirty-five.[2] The official residence for the governor is the Light House located in Awka.[3][4][5] The Governor is responsible for appointing judicial officers including the state's chief judge and his cabinets –commissioners of Anambra State ministries –however, the governor's appointment are generally subject to confirmation by the state's legislature branch.

Deputy governor

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The deputy governor of Anambra State is the second highest-ranking official in the state government. The office of deputy governor is elected on a ticket with the governor for a four-year term concurrent with the governor.

Roy Umenyi was the first to serve in the post in its modern form under Governor Jim Nwobodo. Medical doctor and politician Onyeka Ibezim serves as the deputy governor after he was chosen by Governor Soludo to be his running-mate on the APGA party ticket in the 2021 election.

Ministries

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Further information: Executive Council of Anambra State

The Nigerian constitution provides that the governor appoints the heads of the state ministries under the confirmation of the state assembly.[6] As of 2024, Anambra State has 20 principal ministries.[7]

Principal department Notes Cabinet Member
Ministry for Agriculture
  • Ministry implements and monitor state's agricultural programmes, policies and regulations.
  • Ministry ensures increased and sustainable food and animal production as well as supports private farming sectors
 Foster Ihejiofor
Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning Chiamaka Nnake
Ministry of Industry
  • Formerly called Ministry for Commerce and Industry until its rename in 2022 by Governor Charles Soludo.[8]
 Christian Udechukwu
Ministry of Culture and Entertainment
  • Ministry was created from the then Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism
  • Ministry manages the entertainment sector of Anambra State
 Don Onyenji
Ministry of Education
  • Ministry manages the education sector of the state
 Ngozi Chuma-Udeh
Ministry of Environment
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Health Afam Obidike
Ministry of Home Land Affairs
Ministry of Housing
Ministry of Information Law Mefor
Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Lands
Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs
Ministry of Transportation
Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Ifeoma Obinabo
Ministry of Works
  • Ministry see to the development and implementation of operational frameworks as well as infrastructure maintenance in the state
 Ifeanyi Okoma
Ministry of Youth Development
  • Ministry sees to the activities involving youth especially on economical and social issues and empowerment
 Patrick Agha Mba
Ministry for Special Duites Silvester Ezeokenwa

Legislative branch

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Senate

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Main article: Nigerian National Assembly delegation from Anambra

The Nigerian Constitution provides for a bicameral legislature at the federal level. The upper house consisting of an assembly of 360 members called senators. There are 3 legislative districts in Anambra State: North, South, and Central. Each district has one senator. In the lower house– House of Representatives –there are eleven representatives representing Anambra East/West, Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia, Aguta, Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo, Onitsha North/South, Awka North/South, Orumba North/South, Ihiala, Oyi/Ayamelum, Idemili North/South, and Ogbaru.

General Assembly

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Main article: Anambra State House of Assembly

Created in 1991 when the state was created, it is a unicameral body with 30 elected members who represent 30 constituencies of the state. To be eligible to run, a potential candidate must be at least 21 years of age, and must have lived in their district for at least one year prior to the election, and have lived in Anambra State for two years. They also must be residents of their constituencies. Membership in the Assembly is considered a part-time job, and many members have employment in addition to their legislative work. Assembly members serve two-year terms.

The Assembly is led by the Speaker of the Assembly, who is elected by the members. After the Governor of Anambra State, the Speaker of the Assembly is second in the line of succession to replace the Governor of Anambra State in the event that the governor is unable to execute the duties of that office. The Speaker decides the schedule for the Assembly, which bills will be considered, appoints committee chairmen, and generally runs the Assembly's agenda. The current Speaker is Uchenna Okafor.

Judicial branch

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Main article: Judiciary of Anambra State

The State court system of Anambra State comprises the Anambra State High Court, the magistrate courts, and many lower courts.

Anambra State High Court

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Main article: Anambra State High Court

The High Court is the highest court in the state. It hears appeals from the magistrate Courts. It has the capacity, rarely exercised, to look into other cases within the judicial and executive branches.

The Court consists of a chief judge appointed by the Governor with recommendation of the National Judicial Council and the appointment confirmed by State Assembly.[9] The chief judge serve an initial seven-year term, after which they can be reappointed to serve until age 70. The Anambra State High Court was created and its role established by the delegates to the Nigerian Constitution of 1999. It is the final judicial authority on all cases in the state court system.

References

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  1. ^ Article VI, Section 176, Constitution of Nigeria, 1999
  2. ^ Article VI, Section 177, Constitution of Nigeria, 1999
  3. ^ "Government House Awka - Anambra State Government Website". anambrastate.gov.ng. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  4. ^ Akintonde, Oluwasola (4 June 2025). "Anambra Renames Government House Unveils Key Infrastructure, Reform Projects". Voice of Nigeria Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  5. ^ Ujumadu, Vincent (4 June 2025). "Anambra names new Govt House, 'Light House Awka'". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  6. ^ Constitution, Nigerian (29 March 2014). "Chapter 6. Part 2. Section 192. Commissioners of State Governor". Nigerian Constitution. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  7. ^ https://anambrastate.gov.ng/ansg-ministries-and-agencies/
  8. ^ Okogba, Emmanuel (8 November 2022). "Soludo renames Ministry of Commerce, Industry, takes charge". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  9. ^ "Chapter 7. Part 2. Section 271. Appointment of Chief Judge and Judges of". Nigerian Constitution. 7 April 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
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