By Augustine Ehikioya
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has released the final list of presidential candidates and running mates for 2027 general election, officially kickstarting the race for Aso Rock with 18 political parties cleared.
List signed by Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, confirms President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of All Progressives Congress, APC, with Vice President Kashim Shettima as running mate, will seek a second term in an election slated for January 16, 2027.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar now flies flag of African Democratic Congress, ADC, with former Rivers governor and ex-Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, as running mate, while former Anambra governor, Peter Obi, emerges as candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, pairing with former Kano governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The official release moved the contest from nominations to definitive ballot configuration.
Other notable contenders include Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde of Allied Peoples Movement, APM, former Cross River governor Donald Duke of Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, Adewole Adebayo of Social Democratic Party, SDP, and Omoyele Sowore of African Action Congress, AAC.
The full 18 presidential tickets are: – APC: Bola Ahmed Tinubu / Kashim Shettima; – ADC: Atiku Abubakar / Rotimi Amaechi; – NDC: Peter Obi / Rabiu Kwankwaso; – APM: Seyi Makinde / Musa Lawal Daura; PDP: Sandy Ojang Onor / Umaru Babangida; LP: Sunday Chibuzo Okereke / Hajja Bintu Konto; – 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; – 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 Adebayo / Usman Muhammed Bugaje; – YPP: Peter Ada Agada / Patience Ndidi Key; – ZLP: Daniel Daberechukwu Nwanyanwu / Hassan Khalid
From the list, Tinubu faces broad, fragmented opposition. Atiku, VP from 1999-2007 and PDP candidate in 2023, now leads the ADC ticket. Obi, who placed third in 2023 under Labour Party, now leads NDC.
Emergence of Atiku-Amaechi and Obi-Kwankwaso tickets adds weight, while Makinde introduces another prominent southern figure.
Only two women among 18 presidential candidates: Ada Okwori of NDP and Nkem Okereke of NRM, representing 11% of the field.
Women were slightly better represented among deputies with four: Peace Egobia Ofordile (APP), Nafisat Usaku Abubakar (DLA), Hajja Bintu Konto (LP) and Patience Ndidi Key (YPP).
The INEC data also showed that candidates have a wide age range, qualifications from First School Leaving Certificate to doctorates, with none declaring disability.
Presidential and National Assembly elections hold January 16, 2027; governorship and State Assembly February 6.
Campaign officially commenced August 19; final list publication was deadline of September 12 per INEC timetable.
