ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Independent National Electoral Commission has published the names and personal particulars of 19 presidential candidates who will contest the 2027 general election, bringing clarity to the field and placing the candidates’ credentials before the Nigerian public for scrutiny.
According to the list released on Saturday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seeking another term on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, with Vice President Kashim Shettima remaining his running mate. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is contesting under the African Democratic Congress, with former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate. Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi is also on the list, contesting under the Nigeria Democratic Congress with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate.
The Peoples Democratic Party is fielding Sandy Onor as its presidential candidate, with Umaru Babangida as his running mate. The African Action Congress has Omoyele Sowore as its candidate, with Haruna Garba Magashi as his running mate. Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke is the candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, with Buba Musa as his running mate.
Other candidates include Ada Elizabeth Frederick Okwori of the National Democratic Party, with Uchenna Anthony Chukwuemeka as her running mate; Anita Zugwai Chukwu of the Young Progressives Party, with Egbeola Olawale Mertins as her vice-presidential candidate; and Rufai Adekunle Omoaje of the Action Alliance, with Shehu Hussaini as his running mate.
The Boot Party has Sunday Adenuga as its presidential candidate with Usman Turaki Mustapha as his running mate; Samuel Memeh is contesting under the Democratic Liberty Alliance with Alex Balogun as his running mate; and Daniel Danerechukwu Nwanyanwu is the Zenith Labour Party candidate with Hassan Khalid as his running mate. The Labour Party is fielding Sunday Chibuzor Okereke, with Hajja Bintu Konto as his running mate, while Iken Esther Okereke is the presidential candidate of the National Rescue Movement, with Samuel Magdalene Gali as the vice-presidential candidate.
Abbas-Bin Aliyu is contesting under the Action Democratic Party with Chinazam Ike as his running mate; Suleiman Mohammed Dikwa represents the New Nigeria Peoples Party with Abubakar Isah as his running mate; and Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo is the Social Democratic Party candidate with Usman Mohammed Bugaje as his running mate. Seyi Makinde is listed as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement with Ibrahim Adamu Bala as his running mate, while the Action Peoples Party has Kabiru Yusuf as its presidential candidate with Peace Egobia Ofordile as his running mate.
The publication of the candidates’ details followed the requirement for INEC to make the particulars submitted by political parties and their candidates available for public scrutiny. The documents contain information such as dates of birth, educational qualifications, occupations and other personal details supplied by the candidates. The exercise gives political parties, candidates and members of the public an opportunity to examine the information submitted to the electoral commission.
According to INEC, the publication of candidates’ particulars is tied to the provisions of the Electoral Act. Section 29(3) requires the commission to publish the personal particulars of nominated candidates after receiving the relevant nomination documents.
The information released by INEC contains qualifications ranging from primary and secondary school certificates to university degrees and higher academic qualifications. Tinubu’s submitted particulars include a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University. Shettima submitted records of his primary and secondary education, as well as degrees in agricultural studies, while Atiku’s documents include his First School Leaving Certificate, West African School Certificate and a master’s degree in International Relations. Amaechi also submitted details of his academic background, including his university education and legal qualifications. Obi’s records include a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, while Kwankwaso’s credentials include a Higher Diploma in Civil Engineering from Kaduna Polytechnic and his National Youth Service Corps certificate.
INEC had earlier fixed the presidential and National Assembly election for February 20, 2027, before subsequent revisions to the electoral timetable. The commission’s current online election calendar lists January 16, 2027 for the Presidential and House of Assembly election and February 6, 2027 for the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections. INEC has urged political parties, candidates and voters to follow the approved timetable and comply with the rules governing the electoral process.
