The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final lists of candidates for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, covering the presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly contests.
The latest publication, scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2026, completes a major stage in the electoral commission’s preparations for the forthcoming polls.
PRNigeria reports that the presidential and National Assembly lists were released in September, while the final publication of governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates was scheduled for October 10.
The presidential list contains 18 candidates and their running mates, while the National Assembly lists feature 4,408 candidates, comprising 1,195 senatorial and 3,213 House of Representatives candidates.
Among the presidential candidates are President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Sandy Ojang Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027. (Channels Television)
In Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno of the APC is among those seeking re-election.
Otheer candidates include Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC), Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and candidates representing other registered political parties.
Other governorship candidates identified in published electoral records include Senator John James Akpanudoedehe of the ADC, Michael Bush of the Labour Party, Samuel Coffie Emeni of the PDP and Jeremiah Akpan of the Democratic Leadership Alliance.
Earlier reports had identified these five candidates in the state’s governorship contest. However, PRNigeria could not independently establish the claim that 21 governorship candidates appeared on the final list.
For the National Assembly elections, Senate President Godswill Akpabio is listed among the candidates for Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District.
Senators Aniekan Bassey and Ekong Sampson are also listed for Akwa Ibom North-East and Akwa Ibom South, respectively, alongside candidates from other political parties.
The publication of the final lists provides voters, political parties and other stakeholders with information on candidates nominated to contest the elections.
It also enables the public to examine candidates’ names, party affiliations and constituencies ahead of the commencement of voting.
INEC had earlier announced that the publication of the governorship and State Assembly lists would comply with Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2026.
PRNigeria observes that the presidential and National Assembly lists are already publicly available. However, independent confirmation of the complete October 10 governorship and State Assembly lists, including all the names reportedly published for Akwa Ibom State, remains necessary.
@PRNigeria.com
