INEC Reveals Final List of 2027 Presidential Candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) published the final list of presidential candidates for the January 2027 general elections, signed by Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony. The list includes 18 candidates, with 16 males (88.9%) and 2 females (11.1%).

Notable male 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 Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). The two female candidates are Okwori Fredrick of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and Dr. Esther Okereke of the National Rescue Movement (NRM).

Political analysts, including Dr. Emeka Ozoemena and Prof. Bassey Ekefre, emphasized the importance of evaluating candidates based on track record and competence rather than party loyalty or demographics. They also noted the underrepresentation of women, with only two female candidates among the 18.

The final list also includes 14 male and 4 female vice-presidential candidates.