The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has released the final list of 18 presidential candidates cleared to contest the 2027 general election, setting the stage for what is expected to be a keenly contested race.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced the publication on Friday at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, saying the list was compiled after the conclusion of primaries, submission of nomination forms, and verification of candidates.
According to the list, President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, will seek re-election with Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate. Tinubu is 74 while Shettima is 59.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, presented former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 79, and former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, 61, as its presidential ticket.
The New Democratic Congress, NDC, fielded Labour Party’s 2023 flagbearer Peter Gregory Obi, 65, and former Kano State Governor, Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso, 69, in what analysts describe as a major political realignment.
The Labour Party, LP, will be represented by Sunday Chibuzo Okereke, 43, and Hajja Bintu Konto, 54, while the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, cleared Cross River politician Sandy Ojang Onor, 60, with Umaru Babangida, 61, as his running mate.
Other parties on the final list include the Action Alliance, AA, with Rufai Adekunle Omo-Aje and Shehu Hussaini; the Action Democratic Party, ADP, fielding Aliyu Abbas-Bin and Chinazam Ike; and the Action Peoples Party, APP, with Kabiru Yusuf and Peace Egobia Ofordile.
The African Action Congress, AAC, presented activist Omoyele Sowore and Haruna Garba Magashi, while the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, nominated Oyo State Governor Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, 58, alongside Musa Lawal Daura.
The Boot Party, BP, listed Sunday Adenuga and Usman Turaki Mustapha. The Democratic Labour Alliance, DLA, has Moses Olusoji Adebisi and Nafisat Usaku Abubakar as its candidates.
The National Democratic Party, NDP, will fly the ticket of Ada Elizabeth Fredrick Okwori and Uchenna Anthony Chukwuemeka. The National Rescue Movement, NRM, nominated Nkem Esther Okereke and Nasir Muhammed Sulaiman.
Former Cross River Governor Donald Duke, 63, will contest under the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, with Kabiru Rabiu as his running mate. The Social Democratic Party, SDP, presented lawyer and businessman Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo with Usman Muhammed Bugaje.
The Young Progressives Party, YPP, cleared Peter Ada Agada and Patience Ndidi Key, while the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, will be represented by Daniel Daberechukwu Nwanyanwu and Hassan Khalid.
INEC said the publication of the final list marks the commencement of campaigns in line with the 2027 election timetable. The commission urged parties and candidates to abide by the rules on campaign finance, issue-based engagement, and peaceful conduct.
Many Nigerians noted that the 2027 ballot reflects a mix of incumbency, returning presidential hopefuls, state governors, and new entrants, a development that could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the February election.
