INEC Releases Final List of 18 Presidential Candidates for Nigeria’s 2027 Election
By Iroyin Yoruba Television News Desk
The Independent National Electoral Commission has officially published the final list of presidential candidates and their running mates for Nigeria’s January 16, 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections, formally confirming an 18-party contest for the country’s highest elective office.
The list was released in Abuja on Saturday, September 12, 2026, and signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony.
The publication represents a major milestone in the preparations for the 2027 general elections because it moves the presidential contest from the nomination and screening stages into a formally defined field of candidates.
The final list includes incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, activist and politician Omoyele Sowore, Social Democratic Party candidate Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo, and several other candidates representing smaller political parties.
A total of 18 presidential candidates appear on the final list.
Sixteen of the presidential candidates are men, while two are women.
The vice-presidential field is also dominated by men, with 14 male running mates and four female running mates.
The publication follows INEC's earlier release of a provisional list and the completion of the statutory processes allowing political parties to nominate, substitute and finalise their candidates.
It also confirms the ticket arrangements that political parties will take into the January 2027 presidential election.
Tinubu seeks another term
President Bola Tinubu is listed as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
His running mate remains Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
Tinubu's inclusion means the incumbent president will defend his administration's record before Nigerian voters in the January 2027 election.
The APC ticket is one of the most closely watched in the contest because the party controls the Federal Government.
Tinubu's campaign will therefore be based largely on the record of his administration and its argument for continuity.
The president's tenure has been defined by major economic and policy changes, including the removal of petrol subsidy, reforms affecting the foreign-exchange market, tax reforms, efforts to increase investment and various social and infrastructure programmes.
The administration has also faced significant criticism over inflation, living costs, unemployment concerns and the economic difficulties experienced by households and businesses.
The 2027 election will therefore provide voters with an opportunity to assess those policies.
The APC's final ticket is:
Bola Tinubu / Kashim Shettima.
Atiku returns under ADC
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar is listed as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
His running mate is former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
The ticket creates one of the most prominent opposition challenges to the incumbent administration.
Atiku, who has previously contested the presidency several times, enters the 2027 contest with extensive national political experience.
His selection by the ADC followed the movement of several opposition politicians into a broader coalition arrangement aimed at challenging the ruling party.
The ADC ticket will therefore be closely watched as the campaign develops.
The final INEC listing confirms:
Atiku Abubakar / Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Peter Obi appears on NDC ticket
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Gregory Obi is listed as the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
His running mate is former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The ticket is one of the most politically significant combinations on the final list because both men have previously built substantial political followings.
Obi contested the 2023 presidential election on the Labour Party platform and emerged as one of the leading candidates.
Kwankwaso also contested the 2023 presidential election under the New Nigeria Peoples Party.
Their appearance together on the NDC ticket creates a different political configuration ahead of the 2027 election.
The final ticket published by INEC is:
Peter Gregory Obi / Musa Mohammed Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Eighteen parties now have confirmed presidential tickets
The final list contains candidates from 18 political parties.
The parties and presidential tickets published by the electoral commission are:
| Political Party | Presidential Candidate | Running Mate |
|---|---|---|
| APC | Bola Tinubu | Kashim Shettima |
| ADC | Atiku Abubakar | Rotimi Amaechi |
| NDC | Peter Gregory Obi | Rabiu Kwankwaso |
| LP | Sunday Chibuzo Okereke | Hajja Bintu Konto |
| PDP | Sandy Ojang Onor | Umaru Babangida |
| AA | Rufai Adekunle Omo-Aje | Shehu Hussaini |
| ADP | Aliyu Abbas-Bin | Chinazam Ike |
| APP | Kabiru Yusuf | Peace Egobia Ofordile |
| AAC | Omoyele Sowore | Haruna Garba Magashi |
| APM | Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde | Musa Lawal Daura |
| BP | Sunday Adenuga | Usman Turaki Mustapha |
| DLA | Moses Olusoji Adebisi | Nafisat Usaku Abubakar |
| NDP | Ada Elizabeth Fredrick Okwori | Uchenna Anthony Chukwuemeka |
| NRM | Nkem Esther Okereke | Nasir Muhammed Sulaiman |
| PRP | Donald Duke | Kabiru Rabiu |
| SDP | Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo | Usman Muhammed Bugaje |
| YPP | Peter Ada Agada | Patience Ndidi Key |
| ZLP | Daniel Daberechukwu Nwanyanwu | Hassan Khalid |
The commission also published final candidate lists for the Senate and House of Representatives elections.
Two women are contesting the presidency
The final list contains two female presidential candidates.
They are Ada Elizabeth Fredrick Okwori of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and Nkem Esther Okereke of the National Rescue Movement (NRM).
Their presence means women account for approximately 11.1 per cent of the presidential candidates.
Men account for approximately 88.9 per cent of the presidential field.
The figures illustrate that women remain significantly underrepresented among presidential candidates despite Nigeria's large female population.
The 2027 election will therefore provide another test of women's participation in national politics.
The presence of two female presidential candidates nevertheless means that voters will have female options on the presidential ballot alongside the 16 male candidates.
Female running mates increase to four
The gender distribution is somewhat different among vice-presidential candidates.
INEC listed four women among the 18 running mates.
They are:
Peace Egobia Ofordile of the Allied Peoples Party;
Nafisat Usaku Abubakar of the Democratic Leadership Alliance;
Hajja Bintu Konto of the Labour Party; and
Patience Ndidi Key of the Young Progressive Party.
The remaining 14 running mates are men.
Women therefore account for approximately 22.2 per cent of the vice-presidential field.
Although the number remains below the number of male running mates, it is higher proportionally than the representation of women among presidential candidates.
Labour Party fields Sunday Okereke
The Labour Party (LP) is represented by Sunday Chibuzo Okereke, with Hajja Bintu Konto as his running mate.
The ticket is different from the party's 2023 presidential ticket, when Peter Obi represented Labour Party in the presidential election.
The 2027 list therefore confirms that Obi will not be on the Labour Party platform.
Instead, he will contest under the NDC.
The change reflects the substantial political realignment that has occurred since the last general election.
The Labour Party remains one of the 18 parties fielding a presidential candidate.
Its final ticket is:
Sunday Chibuzo Okereke / Hajja Bintu Konto.
PDP presents Sandy Ojang Onor
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is represented by Sandy Ojang Onor, with Umaru Babangida as his running mate.
The PDP is one of Nigeria's historically dominant political parties and has governed the country at different periods since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
Its appearance on the final presidential list means the party will again compete nationally despite the political challenges and internal realignments that have affected it.
The 2027 contest will therefore also be important for the PDP's position in Nigeria's evolving multiparty system.
The final PDP ticket is:
Sandy Ojang Onor / Umaru Babangida.
Sowore remains on the ballot
Activist and politician Omoyele Sowore is listed as the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC).
His running mate is Haruna Garba Magashi.
Sowore has previously contested the Nigerian presidency and is known for his outspoken criticism of successive governments.
His presence provides voters with another option outside the country's largest political parties.
The AAC ticket is:
Omoyele Sowore / Haruna Garba Magashi.
Donald Duke makes another presidential bid
Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke is listed as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
His running mate is Kabiru Rabiu.
Duke previously contested the presidency in the 2019 election and remains a recognisable figure in Nigerian politics.
His return adds another experienced politician to the 2027 presidential field.
The PRP ticket is:
Donald Duke / Kabiru Rabiu.
Adewole Adebayo represents SDP
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) is fielding Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo as its presidential candidate.
His running mate is Usman Muhammed Bugaje.
Adebayo also contested the 2023 presidential election under the SDP.
The party is therefore maintaining its presence in Nigeria's presidential contests.
The final ticket is:
Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo / Usman Muhammed Bugaje.
Governor Makinde appears on APM ticket
Another prominent name on the final list is Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, listed as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
His running mate is Musa Lawal Daura.
Makinde is the serving governor of Oyo State and has become a significant figure within Nigeria's political landscape.
His inclusion on the presidential list creates another notable contest because he is entering the race from a position of executive experience at state level.
The APM ticket is:
Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde / Musa Lawal Daura.
Smaller parties complete the field
The remaining parties have also finalised their tickets.
The Action Alliance (AA) is represented by Rufai Adekunle Omo-Aje, with Shehu Hussaini as running mate.
The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has Aliyu Abbas-Bin and Chinazam Ike.
The Allied Peoples Party (APP) has Kabiru Yusuf and Peace Egobia Ofordile.
The Boot Party (BP) has Sunday Adenuga and Usman Turaki Mustapha.
The Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) has Moses Olusoji Adebisi and Nafisat Usaku Abubakar.
The National Democratic Party (NDP) has Ada Elizabeth Fredrick Okwori and Uchenna Anthony Chukwuemeka.
The National Rescue Movement (NRM) has Nkem Esther Okereke and Nasir Muhammed Sulaiman.
The Young Progressive Party (YPP) has Peter Ada Agada and Patience Ndidi Key.
The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has Daniel Daberechukwu Nwanyanwu and Hassan Khalid.
Together with APC, ADC, NDC, LP, PDP, AAC, APM, PRP and SDP, these parties make up the final 18-party presidential field.
Why the final list matters
The publication of the final list is more than an administrative exercise.
It formally identifies the individuals whose names will appear in the presidential election process.
The list also gives voters and political parties greater certainty about who will contest the election.
Before the final publication, provisional lists allowed political parties and members of the public to scrutinise candidate information.
The final publication follows the completion of the relevant nomination and substitution stages.
INEC had already set September 12 as the date for publication of the final presidential and National Assembly candidate lists under its 2027 election timetable.
The commission's timetable also sets January 16, 2027 as the date for the presidential and National Assembly elections.
The governorship and State House of Assembly elections will follow on February 6, 2027.
The campaign period is already underway
The release of the final candidate list comes after the formal campaign period for the presidential and National Assembly elections began.
INEC's revised timetable states that campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections commenced on August 19, 2026 and will continue until January 14, 2027.
That means the publication of the final candidate list comes during an already active political campaign period.
Political parties can now focus increasingly on presenting their candidates and policy proposals to voters.
The final list also gives the electorate a clearer picture of the political choices available for the January election.
From nominations to the ballot
The process leading to the final list has taken several months.
Political parties were required to conduct their internal nomination processes.
Candidates were then submitted to INEC.
The electoral commission published personal particulars for scrutiny.
Substitution and withdrawal windows followed.
The commission subsequently prepared the final list in accordance with the electoral timetable.
The publication on September 12 therefore represents the culmination of a long nomination process.
It also provides a legal and administrative foundation for the next stages of election preparation.
The importance of candidate scrutiny
The publication of candidates' information allows Nigerians and other stakeholders to scrutinise the people seeking public office.
Candidate information can raise questions about eligibility, documentation and compliance with electoral requirements.
The legal framework provides mechanisms through which relevant objections can be raised.
This scrutiny is important because presidential elections involve enormous constitutional responsibilities.
The successful candidate will become Nigeria's president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
The person will also appoint ministers and other senior officials, influence national economic policy and represent Nigeria internationally.
Consequently, the process of confirming presidential candidates has implications well beyond election day.
What voters will be deciding
The 2027 presidential election will present voters with different political choices.
The incumbent will seek support based on continuity and the record of his administration.
Opposition candidates will seek to persuade voters that a different direction is necessary.
Other candidates will offer alternative policy platforms and political visions.
The final list therefore provides the framework for a broad national debate.
Issues likely to feature prominently include the economy, security, employment, electricity, education, healthcare, infrastructure, corruption, constitutional reform and the cost of living.
Candidates will also face questions about how they intend to implement their promises.
The economy will remain central
Nigeria's economic situation is likely to be one of the major issues in the 2027 election.
The country has undergone significant reforms since the current administration came into office.
The removal of petrol subsidy fundamentally changed fuel pricing.
Foreign-exchange reforms also altered the relationship between the naira and international currencies.
Tax reforms have been introduced.
Government revenue and expenditure remain major political issues.
At the same time, households continue to face pressure from high living costs.
The presidential candidates will therefore have to explain how they intend to balance economic reform with the need to protect vulnerable citizens.
Security will also be a major election issue
Security is another major concern.
Nigeria continues to face different forms of insecurity, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence in various parts of the country.
The next president will inherit responsibility for addressing these threats.
Voters will therefore likely examine the security records and proposals of the candidates.
The debate will involve questions about military capability, policing, intelligence, border security, community engagement and economic conditions that can contribute to insecurity.
Electricity and infrastructure
Electricity remains another major issue.
Nigeria has expanded its interest in distributed renewable energy, solar systems and mini-grids while continuing to work on the national electricity grid.
Candidates will face questions about how they intend to provide reliable power to households and businesses.
Infrastructure more broadly will also remain important.
Roads, railways, ports, water supply and digital infrastructure all affect economic development.
The next administration will inherit existing projects while having to decide which new investments should receive priority.
Jobs and young Nigerians
Employment is another issue likely to influence the 2027 contest.
Nigeria has a large young population.
Young Nigerians are increasingly active in technology, creative industries, entrepreneurship and digital work.
However, many also face difficulties finding stable employment.
Presidential candidates will therefore be expected to explain how their administrations would create jobs and improve opportunities for young people.
The debate may extend beyond traditional government employment.
Candidates may discuss support for businesses, technology, manufacturing, agriculture and creative industries.
Women's political participation
The final list also raises questions about women's participation in Nigerian politics.
Only two women are presidential candidates among the 18 tickets.
Four women are vice-presidential candidates.
While their participation represents an important step, the numbers demonstrate that women remain a minority among those seeking the country's highest political office.
Political parties and civil society groups have repeatedly debated how to improve women's participation in elective politics.
The 2027 election will provide another opportunity to assess progress.
The question is not simply whether women can appear on the ballot.
It is also whether they can secure meaningful support and compete effectively for political power.
The significance of the running mates
Running mates also have an important role in presidential elections.
Nigeria's constitutional system provides that the vice-president may assume presidential responsibilities under specified circumstances.
The vice-president can also receive responsibilities from the president and participate in the administration's policy process.
Consequently, voters are not simply choosing presidential candidates.
They are also selecting the individuals who would become vice-president.
The final list therefore provides a clearer picture of the leadership teams seeking national power.
Some of the tickets bring together politicians with extensive executive experience.
Others combine political activists, professionals and figures from different backgrounds.
The 2027 contest will be closely watched
With Tinubu, Atiku, Obi and other prominent figures on the final list, the election is expected to attract substantial national attention.
The presence of 18 candidates means the ballot will contain a broad range of choices.
However, the number of candidates should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of equal political strength.
Political parties differ considerably in their national structures, financial resources, membership and historical support.
The major political question will therefore be how support is distributed among the candidates.
The importance of political campaigns
Campaigning provides an opportunity for candidates to communicate directly with voters.
But campaigns also create responsibilities.
Candidates are expected to explain their policies and engage voters without undermining electoral peace.
Political parties and supporters must comply with electoral laws.
Campaigns should not become a source of violence or intimidation.
The electoral commission has a responsibility to enforce the rules, while political parties and candidates have a responsibility to encourage their supporters to respect democratic processes.
Election credibility will matter
The final list is only one part of the electoral process.
The credibility of the 2027 election will depend on what happens before, during and after voting.
INEC will need to prepare election officials.
Sensitive materials and technology will need to be secured.
Polling units will need to be accessible.
Voters will need to know where to vote.
Political parties will deploy agents.
Security agencies will have responsibilities around election security.
Results will need to be collated and declared according to the law.
All these components will influence public confidence.
Voter registration and PVC distribution
The availability of valid voter credentials will also remain important.
Political groups have continued to call for clear information about the production and distribution of Permanent Voter Cards.
The African Democratic Congress recently urged INEC to publish a nationwide timetable for PVC production, distribution and collection, warning against administrative delays that could disenfranchise eligible voters.
The issue demonstrates that publishing candidate names is not the end of the electoral preparations.
Voters also need to be able to participate effectively.
The January 16 election
INEC's current timetable provides for the presidential and National Assembly elections to take place on January 16, 2027.
The governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
The presidential campaign period is scheduled to continue until January 14, two days before the presidential and National Assembly elections.
This gives political parties several months to campaign after the publication of the final list.
During that period, candidates will have to build national support and persuade voters to choose their tickets.
What happens after the presidential election
The successful presidential candidate will begin a four-year constitutional term after inauguration.
The next administration will inherit ongoing programmes, contracts, reforms and national challenges.
The election will therefore determine not only who occupies Aso Rock but also the direction of federal policy for the following four years.
That makes the choices presented on the final ballot particularly important.
A clearer political landscape
The publication of the final list removes one layer of uncertainty surrounding the 2027 election.
Political parties now know the candidates officially recognised for the presidential contest.
Voters can begin assessing the final tickets.
Campaign organisations can organise their activities around confirmed candidates.
The media can also focus more closely on comparing the candidates' programmes and records.
For INEC, the next stage is to continue preparations for election day.
What Nigerians should watch next
As the election approaches, Nigerians will need to pay attention to several developments.
These include the release of additional election information, voter education, distribution of voting materials, campaign activities and debates.
Political parties are also expected to publish and defend their policy programmes.
Candidates will face increasing scrutiny over their records, finances and campaign promises.
The electorate will have the opportunity to compare the different tickets before making its decision.
Final perspective
The Independent National Electoral Commission's publication of the final list of presidential candidates marks a major step toward Nigeria's January 16, 2027 presidential election.
The commission has confirmed 18 presidential candidates, representing 18 political parties.
Among them are incumbent President Bola Tinubu of the APC, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the ADC and former Anambra Governor Peter Obi of the NDC.
Other notable names include Donald Duke, Omoyele Sowore, Adewole Adebayo and Oyo State Governor Oluseyi Makinde, alongside candidates from several smaller parties.
The gender distribution shows that 16 of the presidential candidates are men and two are women.
Four of the 18 running mates are women.
The commission has also released the final candidates for the Senate and House of Representatives elections, meaning the National Assembly component of the January election has also moved into its final candidate-confirmation stage.
The publication comes at a crucial moment.
The campaign season is already underway, and candidates now have a defined electoral field against which to campaign.
The next several months are expected to bring intense political activity as parties attempt to persuade Nigerians that their candidates offer the best solution to the country's economic, security and social challenges.
For voters, the publication of the final list provides an opportunity to begin examining the candidates beyond political slogans.
Their records, policies, experience, campaign promises and running mates will all be relevant.
The election will ultimately be decided by Nigerian voters, but the quality of the democratic process will depend on more than the final vote count.
It will depend on peaceful campaigning, credible voter participation, effective election administration, compliance with electoral laws and respect for the outcome.
INEC has now completed one of the major statutory stages in the process by publishing the final presidential candidate list on September 12.
The political contest is therefore moving into a more defined phase.
With 18 tickets officially confirmed, the road to January 16, 2027 is now clearer.
The choice before Nigerian voters will be broad, but the responsibility will be equally significant: to examine the candidates, understand their programmes and make an informed decision when the country goes to the polls.
Iroyin Yoruba Television will continue to follow the 2027 election process, including campaign developments, INEC preparations, candidate activities and other major electoral developments.