INEC releases final lists of 2027 presidential, overnorship candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the publication of the final lists of candidates for the 2027 general elections, covering presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly contests.

The publication of the governorship and State Assembly lists on October 10, 2026, marks another major milestone in the commission’s preparations for the elections.

The presidential and National Assembly candidates’ lists were released in September, ahead of the publication of the remaining lists.

According to the information contained in the report, 18 candidates and their running mates are on the presidential list, while 4,408 candidates are listed for the National Assembly elections. The figure comprises 1,195 senatorial candidates and 3,213 candidates for the House of Representatives.

Among the presidential candidates named are President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

Others include Sandy Ojang Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC) and Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are slated for February 6, 2027.

Akwa Ibom Governorship Race

In Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno of the APC is among the candidates seeking election to the state’s top political office.

Other governorship contenders identified in electoral records include Senator John James Akpanudoedehe of the ADC, Michael Bush of the Labour Party, Samuel Coffie Emeni of the PDP and Jeremiah Akpan of the Democratic Leadership Alliance.

Although earlier reports identified five candidates in the state’s governorship race, the report said PRNigeria could not independently verify the claim that 21 candidates appeared on INEC’s final list.

For the National Assembly elections, Senate President Godswill Akpabio is listed as a candidate for Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District.

Senators Aniekan Bassey and Ekong Sampson are also listed for Akwa Ibom North-East and Akwa Ibom South, respectively, alongside candidates representing other political parties.

The publication of candidates’ lists is an important stage in the electoral process, providing voters and other stakeholders with information about the individuals nominated by political parties to contest the various offices.

The lists also enable the public to examine candidates’ names, party affiliations and constituencies before election day.

INEC had earlier indicated that the publication of the governorship and State Assembly candidates’ lists would be carried out in accordance with Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2026.

However, the complete governorship and State Assembly lists published on October 10, including the full roster of candidates in Akwa Ibom State, require independent verification against the commission’s official records.

Voters and other interested members of the public can consult INEC’s official website for the published lists and any subsequent updates.