The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates cleared to contest the presidency in Nigeria's 2027 general elections, with 18 presidential candidates and their running mates named across different political parties. INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony signed the published document, which confirms the candidates who will face off in what is expected to be a fiercely contested race.
Major Contenders Confirmed for 2027 Presidential Race
President Bola Tinubu will seek re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will challenge him under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, who was ratified as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate on May 29, 2026, is also in the race, alongside Oyo State Governor Oluseyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Sandy Ojang Onor will fly the flag for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke will contest on the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) ticket. Other candidates named on the list include Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC), Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Sunday Chibuizu Okereke of the Labour Party (LP), Rufai Adekunle Omo-Aje of the Action Alliance (AA), Abbas-Bin Aliyu of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Yusuf Kabiru of the Action Peoples Party (APP), Sunday Adenuga of the Boot Party (BP), Moses Olusolu Adebisi of the Democratic Labour Alliance (DLA), Peter Ada Agada of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), and Daniel Daberechukwu Nyawanwalu of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Two Women Among Presidential Candidates
The list features two female presidential candidates: Ada Elizabeth Frederick Okwori of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and Nkem Esther Okereke of the National Rescue Movement (NRM). Four women also appear as vice-presidential picks — Peace Egobia of the APP, Nafisat Usaku of the DLA, Hajja Bintu Konto of the LP, and Patience Ndidi Key of the YPP.
The age spread among the candidates is wide, with presidential hopefuls ranging from 35 to 79 years old. Vice-presidential candidates fall between 35 and 80 years of age.
Implications for the 2027 General Elections
The release of this final list by INEC sets the stage for the formal campaign period, which will see these candidates and their parties present their manifestos to the Nigerian electorate. The inclusion of a broad range of parties and candidates underscores the competitive nature of the upcoming polls, which will determine the country's leadership for the next four years.
