INEC Releases Governorship Candidates for 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) published the official list of governorship candidates and their running mates for the 2027 general elections on Saturday, August 29, 2026. This publication, displayed at INEC offices nationwide, concluded weeks of speculation regarding the candidates representing major parties in their states.

The list includes candidates from the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (PDP), and Allied Peoples Movement (APM), detailing their ages, educational qualifications, and other credentials. According to INEC's timetable, campaigns for the governorship and state elections will commence in September 2026 and conclude on February 4, 2027, with polling scheduled for February 6, 2027.

The governorship elections will occur in 28 states, while state house of assembly elections will take place across all 36 states. Notable candidates include Obafemi Hamzat (APC) and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (ADC) in Lagos, and Sharafadeen Alli (APC) facing Bimbo Adekambi (APM) in Oyo State.