INEC publishes final list of 18 presidential candidates for 2027 election

Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final list of 18 presidential candidates and their running mates for the January 16, 2027, general election. The list, released on September 12, 2026, formally settles the field of contenders for the nation's highest office. The commission confirmed President Bola Tinubu as the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is listed as the candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with former Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate. Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi is the candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), running with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The final list contains 16 male and two female presidential candidates. The two women seeking the presidency are Ada Elizabeth Fredrick Okwori of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and Nkem Esther Okereke of the National Rescue Movement (NRM). INEC also listed 14 male and four female vice-presidential candidates.