INEC Releases Final 2027 Presidential Candidate List Ahead of January Election

Nigeria's 2027 presidential race now has a clearer shape, with INEC releasing the final list of presidential candidates and their running mates ahead of the election.

The list brings some of the country's biggest political names onto the same ballot as Nigerians prepare to decide who will lead the country next.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has released the final list of presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the 2027 election, featuring 18 political parties.

The election is scheduled for January 16, 2027, with President Bola Tinubu seeking another term on the All Progressives Congress ticket. Other prominent names on the list include former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress, Peter Obi of the National Democratic Congress, Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress and Donald Duke of the Peoples Redemption Party.

The published list also includes candidates from parties such as the Labour Party, Peoples Democratic Party, Action Alliance, Action Democratic Party, Allied Peoples Movement, Boot Party, Democratic Labour Alliance, National Democratic Party, National Rescue Movement, Social Democratic Party, Young Progressives Party and Zenith Labour Party.

According to the reported final list, there are two female presidential candidates — Ada Elizabeth Fredrick Okwori of the National Democratic Party and Nkem Esther Okereke of the National Rescue Movement. Four female candidates are also listed as vice-presidential candidates.

The list contains candidates with different educational backgrounds, ranging from First School Leaving Certificate, WAEC and NABTEB qualifications to university degrees and doctorates.

The 2027 presidential race is now moving from party nominations to the ballot — and every candidate will be looking to convince Nigerians before election day.