The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of presidential candidates and their running mates for Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.
The list contains 18 presidential tickets sponsored by different political parties, formally setting the stage for the presidential contest ahead of the January 2027 general elections.
The final publication includes prominent political figures, former public office holders, serving and former governors, as well as candidates representing smaller and emerging political parties.
According to the published list, 16 of the 18 presidential candidates are male, while two are female.
Full List of Presidential Candidates and Running Mates
1. All Progressives Congress (APC) — Bola Ahmed Tinubu / Kashim Shettima
2. African Democratic Congress (ADC) — Atiku Abubakar / Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi
3. Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) — Peter Gregory Obi / Musa Mohammed Rabiu Kwankwaso
4. Labour Party (LP) — Sunday Chibuzo Okereke / Hajja Bintu Konto
5. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — Sandy Ojang Onor / Umaru Babangida
6. African Alliance (AA) — Rufai Adekunle Omo-Aje / Shehu Hussaini
7. Action Democratic Party (ADP) — Aliyu Abbas-Bin / Chinazam Ike
8. Action Peoples Party (APP) — Kabiru Yusuf / Peace Egobia Ofordile
9. African Action Congress (AAC) — Omoyele Sowore / Haruna Garba Magashi
10. Allied Peoples Movement (APM) — Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde / Musa Lawal Daura
11. Boot Party (BP) — Sunday Adenuga / Usman Turaki Mustapha
12. Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) — Moses Olusoji Adebisi / Nafisat Usaku Abubakar
13. National Democratic Party (NDP) — Ada Elizabeth Fredrick Okwori / Uchenna Anthony Chukwuemeka
14. National Rescue Movement (NRM) — Nkem Esther Okereke / Nasir Muhammed Sulaiman
15. Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) — Donald Duke / Kabiru Rabiu
16. Social Democratic Party (SDP) — Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo / Usman Muhammed Bugaje
17. Young Progressive Party (YPP) — Peter Ada Agada / Patience Ndidi Key
18. Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) — Daniel Daberechukwu Nwanyanwu / Hassan Khalid
Major Names in the Presidential Race
The 2027 presidential contest features several nationally recognised political figures.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seeking another term under the APC, with Vice President Kashim Shettima retaining his position as running mate.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is contesting under the ADC alongside former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi is representing the NDC with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate.
Other notable candidates include former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, and SDP candidate Adewole Adebayo.
Two Female Presidential Candidates
The final list also features two female presidential candidates.
They are Ada Elizabeth Fredrick Okwori of the NDP and Nkem Esther Okereke of the NRM.
The inclusion of female presidential candidates adds another dimension to the 2027 contest, although women remain a minority among the presidential flag bearers.
The list of running mates also includes several female candidates, reflecting some level of gender diversity among the presidential tickets.
What the Final List Means
The publication of the final presidential list provides greater clarity on the political landscape ahead of the 2027 election.
Political parties and their candidates can now focus their efforts on nationwide mobilisation, policy messaging, campaign organisation and engagement with voters.
The presidential contest is expected to focus heavily on issues including the economy, inflation, unemployment, security, electricity, education, healthcare, infrastructure, institutional reforms and the general cost of living.
For voters, the release of the candidates provides an opportunity to examine the individuals seeking the presidency, their political records, policy proposals and the programmes of the parties sponsoring their candidacies.
The election is expected to be closely watched as the various candidates seek to build national coalitions and secure support across Nigeria’s diverse political constituencies.
As the 2027 election approaches, the presidential candidates and their running mates will face the task of convincing millions of Nigerians that their respective programmes offer the most credible path for addressing the country’s economic and social challenges.
The release of the final list therefore marks an important stage in the preparations for the 2027 presidential election and formally identifies the 18 presidential tickets expected to compete for Nigeria’s highest elected office.