The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of presidential candidates and their running mates for Nigeria’s 2027 general election, with 19 political parties fielding candidates for the presidency.
The publication, made on Saturday, September 12, 2026, formally settles the presidential field ahead of the January 16, 2027 election. Reports on the release put the number of presidential candidates at 19, correcting earlier reports and lists that had circulated with 18 names.
The major contenders include President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement.
Other candidates include Senator Sandy Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party, African Action Congress candidate Omoyele Sowore, former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke of the Peoples Redemption Party and Social Democratic Party candidate Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo.
The list also includes Labour Party candidate Sunday Chibuzor Okereke, Zenith Labour Party candidate Daniel Danerechukwu Nwanyanwu, National Democratic Party candidate Ada Elizabeth Frederick Okwori and National Rescue Movement candidate Iken Esther Okereke.
The remaining candidates are Rufai Adekunle Omoaje of the Action Alliance, Sunday Adenuga of the Boot Party, Samuel Memeh of the Democratic Liberty Alliance, Abbas-Bin Aliyu of the Action Democratic Party, Suleiman Mohammed Dikwa of the New Nigeria Peoples Party and Kabiru Yusuf of the Action Peoples Party.
FULL LIST OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
- APC: Bola Ahmed Tinubu — Kashim Shettima
- ADC: Atiku Abubakar — Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi
- NDC: Peter Obi — Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso
- PDP: Sandy Ojang Onor — Umaru Babangida
- AAC: Omoyele Sowore — Haruna Garba Magashi
- PRP: Donald Duke — Buba Musa
- NDP: Ada Elizabeth Frederick Okwori — Uchenna Anthony Chukwuemeka
- YPP: Anita Zugwai Chukwu — Egbeola Olawale Mertins
- AA: Rufai Adekunle Omoaje — Shehu Hussaini
- Boot Party: Sunday Adenuga — Usman Turaki Mustapha
- DLA: Samuel Memeh — Alex Balogun
- ZLP: Daniel Danerechukwu Nwanyanwu — Hassan Khalid
- LP: Sunday Chibuzor Okereke — Hajja Bintu Konto
- NRM: Iken Esther Okereke — Samuel Magdalene Gali
- ADP: Abbas-Bin Aliyu — Chinazam Ike
- NNPP: Suleiman Mohammed Dikwa — Abubakar Isah
- SDP: Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo — Usman Mohammed Bugaje
- APM: Seyi Makinde — Ibrahim Adamu Bala
- APP: Kabiru Yusuf — Peace Egobia Ofordile
The final list follows the completion of the nomination and substitution processes. INEC had earlier published the candidates’ personal particulars and supporting documents for public scrutiny under the Electoral Act 2026.
The commission’s timetable fixes January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while the governorship and State Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
The release of the final presidential list marks another major milestone in preparations for the 2027 elections, with campaigns already underway and the major political blocs intensifying their mobilisation nationwide.
With 19 candidates now in the race, attention will increasingly shift towards the policy platforms, campaign strategies and alliances that will shape the contest for Nigeria’s presidency.
