The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the names and personal details of candidates contesting the 2027 governorship elections, providing a clearer picture of the political battles expected across several states.
The information was released on Saturday through Form EC9 and displayed at INEC offices across the country.
The published particulars include the candidates’ ages, educational qualifications and other information contained in their nomination documents.
According to the timetable released by INEC, campaigns for the governorship and State House of Assembly elections are expected to commence in September 2026 and run until February 4, 2027. The elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
The published list shows that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) are among the parties with a significant presence in the governorship contests.
In Oyo State, 16 candidates are listed for the governorship election. They include APC candidate Sharafadeen Alli, APM’s Bimbo Adekambi and Yinusa Ayandare of the African Democratic Party, among other contenders.
Lagos has one of the largest fields, with 17 candidates listed for the governorship race. The candidates include incumbent Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat of the APC and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the ADC.
In Kaduna, Governor Uba Sani is seeking a second term on the APC platform and will face 17 other candidates, while Kebbi has 14 candidates in the race.
Delta State has 16 candidates contesting the governorship seat, while Sokoto has 19 candidates representing various political parties.
Kwara has 12 governorship candidates. APC candidate Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, who is also the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, will face PDP’s Bolakale Kawu and 10 other contenders.
In Zamfara, Governor Dauda Lawal is listed among 16 candidates seeking the state’s top political office, while Bauchi has 19 candidates.
One of the candidates in the Bauchi contest is Lami Babageidam of the Zenith Labour Party.
Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia is also listed as the APC candidate and will face five other contenders, including former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, who is contesting on the PDP platform.
In Kano, Governor Abba Yusuf is seeking another term under the APC. Other notable candidates include Aminu Gwarzo of the NDC, Mohammed Raji of the Labour Party and Muhammad Dalhatu of the PDP.
Rivers State has 19 candidates listed for the governorship election, while Gombe has 17 candidates, according to INEC Public Affairs Officer Mohorret Bigun.
In Ogun State, 13 political parties have presented candidates. They include APC’s Solomon Adeola, PDP’s Oladipupo Adebutu and ADC’s Jimi Lawal.
Jigawa has 14 governorship candidates, while Ebonyi Governor Francis Nwifuru will defend the APC ticket against PDP candidate Ifeanyi Odii and other contenders. Odii was Nwifuru’s major challenger in the 2023 governorship election.
APC Fields Incumbent Governors, Political Heavyweights
The APC has also uploaded its governorship candidates to the INEC portal, with the list featuring incumbent governors, serving political office holders and other prominent politicians seeking to retain or capture power in 2027.
Among the APC candidates are Hamzat in Lagos, Adeola in Ogun, Alli in Oyo, Kingsley Chinda in Rivers, Eric Opah in Abia, Uba Sani in Kaduna and Mustapha Gubio in Borno.
Other APC candidates include Jamilu Gwamna in Gombe, Aliyu Wadada in Nasarawa, Danladi-Salihu in Kwara, Baba Malam Wali in Yobe and Alia in Benue.
The party is also fielding Bassey Otu in Cross River, Sheriff Oborevwori in Delta, Francis Nwifuru in Ebonyi, Peter Mbah in Enugu, Umar Namadi in Jigawa, Abba Yusuf in Kano and Dikko Radda in Katsina.
The remaining candidates on the APC list include Ahmed Tijani Galadima in Adamawa, Umar Bago in Niger, Nasir Idris in Kebbi, Caleb Mutfwang in Plateau, Umo Eno in Akwa Ibom, Dauda Lawal in Zamfara, Mohammed Abubakar in Bauchi, Ahmed Aliyu in Sokoto and Agbu Kefas in Taraba.
DSS Strengthens Security Around Candidates
The publication of the candidates’ details comes amid heightened preparations by security agencies ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly strengthened security around presidential and governorship candidates as political activities intensify.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso are among the prominent political figures covered by the security arrangements.
A security source said the protection was intended to be non-partisan and followed a directive from President Bola Tinubu to ensure candidates are protected as they conduct their political activities.
“Tinubu is determined to win a free and fair poll. As a democrat, he has security agencies to ensure a level-playing field for all,” the source said.
The source added that additional personnel had been deployed to protect presidential candidates and their running mates.
“The DSS has beefed up security for presidential candidates and their deputies. Some of them have even come up with specifications of their security architecture,” the source said.
“All the candidates are being taken care of. The DSS is deploying enough manpower for protective duties.”
Governorship candidates and their running mates are also covered by the arrangement, according to the source.
“The overall aim is to ensure a campaign for all free of inhibitions and a hitch-free election,” the source said.
The DSS has also identified areas considered vulnerable to violence and increased surveillance in such locations, particularly in relation to National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.
Notable Omissions, Changes Emerge
The publication of the governorship candidates has also revealed notable omissions and changes in several states.
In Nasarawa, former Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar Adamu was reportedly absent from the list despite previously securing the SDP governorship ticket after leaving the APC. Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, who defeated Adamu in the APC nomination contest, is among those listed.
Rivers State is expected to witness another crowded contest, with APC candidate Kingsley Chinda Ogundu, NDC candidate Lulu-Briggs Dumo Owukori and ADC candidate Gabriel Pidomson among those listed by INEC.
There will be no governorship election in Bayelsa State in 2027. However, all 24 House of Assembly seats will be contested, with INEC listing 250 candidates for the legislative election.
Edo State will also not conduct a governorship election next year, although its State House of Assembly seats will be contested. Several serving lawmakers were reportedly absent from the published list.
Sokoto, meanwhile, has 19 candidates in the governorship race, including APC’s Ahmed Aliyu, PDP’s Abdullah Sokoto Abubakar, ADC’s Manir Muhammad Dan’Iya and NDC’s Aliyu Shamsudeen Ahmad.
