ABUJA, Nigeria — September 13, 2026
Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final lists of candidates who will contest the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections, marking another major step toward the country’s next general election.
The final presidential list features 18 presidential candidates and their running mates, representing 18 political parties.
Among the prominent candidates are incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Other candidates include Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC) and Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Tinubu, Atiku and Obi Set for Major Contest
President Tinubu is seeking another term with Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
Atiku Abubakar is contesting under the ADC alongside former Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, while Peter Obi is running under the NDC with Musa Mohammed Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The presence of several prominent political figures on different platforms is expected to make the 2027 presidential election highly competitive.
According to the published presidential list, 16 of the 18 presidential candidates are men while two are women.
More Than 4,400 National Assembly Candidates
INEC has also released the final candidate lists for the Senate and House of Representatives.
A total of 4,408 candidates are listed for the two chambers of the National Assembly.
Of that number, 1,195 candidates are contesting Senate seats, while 3,213 candidates are seeking election to the House of Representatives.
The gender figures also show a significant imbalance. Of the 4,408 National Assembly candidates, 3,965 are male and 443 are female.
Election Scheduled for January 16, 2027
According to INEC’s current election timetable, the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled to follow on February 6, 2027.
With the publication of the final candidate lists, political parties and their candidates are moving closer to the decisive campaign period as Nigerians prepare to choose their leaders.
Attention will now increasingly turn to campaign promises, alliances, voter mobilisation, election security and how INEC plans to ensure a credible and transparent electoral process.
The 2027 election is expected to attract considerable attention both within Nigeria and internationally, particularly as the country’s major political parties compete for the presidency and control of the National Assembly.