The race for Nigeria’s 2027 presidency has moved into a more defined phase, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) releasing the final list of presidential candidates and their running mates for the January 2027 general elections.
The list places President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and other contenders seeking to take control of Aso Rock.
INEC’s publication also throws up an interesting political picture, with 18 political parties fielding presidential candidates and a number of familiar political figures returning to the national contest.
The list was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony.
According to the electoral body, the presidential field consists of 16 men and two women, while the vice-presidential race features 14 male and four female candidates.
Among the most closely watched names are Tinubu, who is seeking another term; Atiku, who is making another attempt at the presidency; and Obi, who remains a major figure in Nigeria’s opposition politics after his strong showing in the 2023 election.
The list also includes former Oyo State Governor Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, and SDP candidate Adewole Adebayo.
But beyond the headline names, the final list offers a glimpse into what could become one of Nigeria’s most crowded presidential contests.
Tinubu, Atiku and Obi headline 2027 battle
President Tinubu will contest under the APC with Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
He will face Atiku Abubakar, who has selected former Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate under the ADC.
Peter Obi, meanwhile, will contest under the NDC alongside former Kano State Governor Musa Mohammed Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The emergence of the three combinations is expected to attract significant attention as the election approaches, particularly because of the political weight and support bases associated with the candidates.
The contest also features candidates from parties outside the three major political groupings, including Sowore of the African Action Congress and Donald Duke of the Social Democratic Party.
Two women make presidential list
INEC’s final list also shows that only two of the 18 presidential candidates are women.
They are Ada Elizabeth Fredrick Okwori of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and Nkem Esther Okereke of the National Rescue Movement (NRM).
Okwori will contest with Uchenna Anthony Chukwuemeka, while Okereke will have Nasir Muhammed Sulaiman as her running mate.
The figures mean women account for only a small fraction of the presidential field, while the vice-presidential list has a slightly higher female representation.
Full list of presidential candidates and running mates
INEC’s final list, including the candidates’ ages where provided, is as follows:
- APC: Bola Tinubu (74) / Kashim Shettima (59)
- ADC: Atiku Abubakar (79) / Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (61)
- NDC: Peter Gregory Obi (65) / Musa Mohammed Rabiu Kwankwaso (69)
- LP: Sunday Chibuzo Okereke (43) / Hajja Bintu Konto (54)
- PDP: Sandy Ojang Onor (60) / Umaru Babangida (61)
- AA: Rufai Adekunle Omo-Aje / Shehu Hussaini
- ADP: Aliyu Abbas-Bin / Chinazam Ike
- APP: Kabiru Yusuf / Peace Egobia Ofordile
- AAC: Omoyele Sowore / Haruna Garba Magashi
- APM: Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde (58) / Musa Lawal Daura
- BP: Sunday Adenuga / Usman Turaki Mustapha
- DLA: Moses Olusoji Adebisi / Nafisat Usaku Abubakar
- NDP: Ada Elizabeth Fredrick Okwori / Uchenna Anthony Chukwuemeka
- NRM: Nkem Esther Okereke / Nasir Muhammed Sulaiman
- PRP: Donald Duke / Kabiru Rabiu
- SDP: Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo / Usman Muhammed Bugaje
- YPP: Peter Ada Agada / Patience Ndidi Key
- ZLP: Daniel Daberechukwu Nwanyanwu / Hassan Khalid
A crowded field, but only one winner
With the final list now published, the political contest is set to move beyond speculation over who will appear on the ballot and towards the more difficult battle of winning voters.
The presence of several nationally recognised politicians means the election could produce intense competition for votes across different regions and political constituencies.
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For Tinubu, the challenge will be defending the presidency amid a crowded opposition field.
For Atiku, it is another opportunity to pursue the presidency after several unsuccessful attempts.
For Obi, the 2027 election offers another chance to build on the political momentum generated by his 2023 campaign.
And for the other 15 presidential candidates, the task is even more difficult: breaking through a political landscape dominated by better-known contenders and persuading Nigerians that they offer a credible alternative.
The final list therefore does more than identify who will appear on the ballot.
It sets the stage for what promises to be a fiercely contested presidential race — one in which 18 candidates will enter the field, but only one can emerge as Nigeria’s next president.