The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a provisional list of candidates for the 2027 presidential and governorship elections. Nineteen candidates are vying for the presidency, while governorship races will take place across 28 states, with candidate numbers varying by state. The elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, for presidential and National Assembly contests, and February 6, 2027, for governorship and State Houses of Assembly polls.
The lists are not final, as INEC has not closed the window for changes, including replacements of governorship candidates. Some INEC officials declined to provide complete details on parties contesting in certain states, leading to incomplete data access. In Abia State, 13 parties are fielding candidates, including incumbent Governor Alex Otti. Adamawa has 14 contenders, though the current governor is not seeking re-election. Akwa Ibom has the highest number of gubernatorial candidates with 21, surpassing the total number of presidential hopefuls.
Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, and Kano each have 19, 10, 10, and 19 governorship candidates respectively, with Bauchi and Kano's incumbents stepping down after second terms. In Benue, Delta, Cross River, and Enugu, sitting governors are seeking re-election. Rivers State has 20 parties in the race, making it one of the most competitive, though the incumbent is not contesting. Jigawa features a son of a former governor among the candidates, while Gombe has five declared contenders.
The provisional nature of INEC's candidate list creates uncertainty for voters who may base decisions on names that could later change. With some officials already refusing to release full party lists, transparency in candidate access remains inconsistent across states. This undermines the public's ability to make informed choices ahead of the 2027 polls.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
