President Bola Tinubu will represent the All Progressives Congress in the January 16, 2027 general election as he seeks a second term in office. Tinubu served as Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007 and was instrumental in the formation of the APC. He played a key role in the election of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015. As of May 31, at least 11 of Nigeria's 22 INEC-registered political parties had named presidential candidates, reflecting a fragmented political field.
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party aligned with Rivers State's Nyesom Wike named Senator Sandy Onor as its candidate. Onor represented Cross River Central in the Senate from 2019 to 2023 and previously ran for governor of Cross River State. Another PDP faction, led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, nominated former President Goodluck Jonathan in absentia. Jonathan was president from 2010 to 2015 and previously served as Governor of Bayelsa State and vice president. He has not made public comments on the nomination.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar secured the ticket of a faction of the African Democratic Congress led by David Mark. Atiku was vice president from 1999 to 2007 and has contested the presidency in 2019 and 2023. A separate ADC faction named Dumebi Kachikwu, who ran in the 2023 election, as its candidate. Kachikwu is the younger brother of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Ibe Kachikwu. Another ADC faction led by Bala Gombe named Prof. Chief Chris Uba as its sole candidate.
Omoyele Sowore, founder of Sahara Reporters and a human rights activist, will run under the African Action Congress platform for the third time. Adewole Adebayo, a lawyer and businessman, won the presidential ticket of the Social Democratic Party and had previously contested under the SDP banner. Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State from 2006 to 2014, will run under the Nigeria Democratic Congress after leaving the Labour Party. He named former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate. Seyi Makinde, current Governor of Oyo State serving his second term, emerged as candidate for the Allied Peoples Movement. Donald Duke, who was Governor of Cross River State from 1999 to 2007, will run under the People's Redemption Party.
Bola Tinubu is seeking re-election while multiple factions within opposition parties nominate rival candidates, creating a splintered political landscape. Peter Obi has left the Labour Party to run under a new party platform, indicating shifting alliances. Goodluck Jonathan was nominated in absentia without public comment, raising questions about his active involvement. The presence of several parallel candidates suggests internal party conflicts may influence the election's outcome.
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