By Gabriel Ameh
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final list of candidates and running mates for Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election, formally defining an 18-candidate race for the nation’s highest political office.
The list, signed by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony, features candidates sponsored by 18 political parties, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Anambra State Governor Peter Gregory Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The presidential election is scheduled for January 16, 2027, according to INEC’s timetable.
Tinubu is seeking another term on the APC platform, with Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
Atiku, who has previously contested the presidency, will fly the ADC flag with former Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
Obi, who finished third in the 2023 presidential election, returns to the contest under the NDC. The INEC list pairs him with Musa Mohammed Rabiu as his running mate.
The final list also includes Oyo State Governor Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo and African Action Congress (AAC) candidate Omoyele Sowore.
Other candidates on the ballot are Sunday Chibuzo Okereke of the Labour Party, Sandy Ojang Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party, Rufai Adekunle Omo-Aje of the Action Alliance, Aliyu Abbas-Bin of the Action Democratic Party and Kabiru Yusuf of the Allied Peoples Party.
The list further includes Sunday Adenuga of the Boot Party, Moses Olusoji Adebisi of the Democratic Leadership Alliance, Ada Elizabeth Fredrick Okwori of the National Democratic Party, Nkem Esther Okereke of the National Rescue Movement, Peter Ada Agada of the Young Progressive Party and Daniel Daberechukwu Nwanyanwu of the Zenith Labour Party.
The publication marks a major step in the 2027 electoral process, moving the presidential contest from months of political speculation and realignment to a formally established field of candidates.
With the candidates now officially listed, political parties will intensify their efforts to build alliances, mobilise supporters and expand their reach across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The size of the field also reflects the increasingly fragmented nature of Nigeria’s political landscape. However, the presence of 18 candidates does not necessarily mean all will have comparable electoral strength, as factors such as party structures, alliances, funding, grassroots organisation and national visibility are likely to shape the contest.
INEC has also set September 23, 2026 as the commencement date for public campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections.
For the leading contenders, the next phase will therefore focus on translating their official candidacies into nationwide campaign momentum ahead of the January 16, 2027 poll.
The presidential race now has its officially published candidates, political platforms and election date.
Nigeria goes to the polls for the presidential and National Assembly elections on January 16, 2027.
