The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of 4,878 candidates for the January 16, 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections. Eighteen candidates will contest the presidency, while 4,860 will vie for 109 Senate and 360 House of Representatives seats. President Bola Tinubu (APC), Atiku Abubakar (ADC) and Peter Obi (NDC) are among those on the presidential list. Two women, Ada Elizabeth Fredrick Okwori of the NDP and Nkem Esther Okereke of the NRM, are also running for president. The oldest presidential candidate is 79-year-old Atiku Abubakar, while the youngest is 35-year-old Sunday Chibuzo Okereke of the LP.
The APC has fielded candidates for all positions, while the PDP is contesting 103 Senate and 302 House seats. The ADC, NDC, APM and DLA have also submitted multiple candidates across both chambers. Three parties—Accord, APGA and Youth Party—submitted no presidential candidate by the nomination deadline. The NNPP's Dikwa Suleiman Mohammed, who appeared on the provisional list, is absent from the final list, with no explanation provided. Several parties changed candidates after the provisional list: DLA, YPP, APM, NRM and PRP all replaced either their presidential or vice presidential candidates. Notable replacements include Adebisi Amos Olusoji for DLA and Agada Peter Ada for YPP. At least 12 former governors and a former deputy governor, including Yahaya Bello and Idiat Adebule, are on the list seeking Senate seats.
The NNPP candidate who appeared on INEC's provisional list is missing from the final list without explanation. This creates uncertainty for voters and party members relying on official transparency ahead of the 2027 election.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
