The Independent National Electoral Commission has released the names and details of candidates contesting governorship elections across Nigeria in 2027, bringing greater clarity to the list of politicians seeking to lead the states.
INEC published the information in Form EC9, with copies displayed at its state offices on Saturday. The publication contains the names of governorship candidates and their running mates, along with details such as their ages, educational qualifications and other information submitted by the political parties.
The release marks another stage in the preparations for the 2027 general elections, as political parties now have officially published candidates for the governorship contests.
The All Progressives Congress, African Democratic Congress, Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peoples Democratic Party and Allied Peoples Movement are among the parties with candidates appearing prominently on the lists.
INEC’s timetable provides that campaigns for the governorship and state House of Assembly elections will begin in September 2026 and continue until February 4, 2027. The elections are scheduled to take place on February 6, 2027.
In Oyo State, 16 candidates are listed for the governorship election. The APC is represented by Sharafadeen Alli, while the Allied Peoples Movement has Bimbo Adekambi, who is backed by Governor Seyi Makinde. Yinusa Ayandare is the candidate of the African Democratic Party.
Lagos State has 17 governorship candidates, including the APC candidate and current Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, and African Democratic Congress candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.
In Kaduna State, Governor Uba Sani of the APC will face 17 other candidates. Kebbi has 14 candidates, while 16 politicians are listed to contest the governorship election in Delta State.
Sokoto has one of the larger fields, with 19 political parties presenting candidates for the election. Kwara State has 12 candidates, including APC candidate and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, PDP candidate Bolakale Kawu and 10 others.
In Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal is seeking another term against 15 other candidates. Bauchi has 19 candidates, including Lami Babageidam of the Zenith Labour Party.
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia will contest against five other candidates. Among them is former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa, who is representing the PDP.
Kano Governor Abba Yusuf of the APC is also on the list alongside candidates from other parties, including Aminu Gwarzo of the NDC, Mohammed Raji of the Labour Party and Muhammad Dalhatu of the PDP.
Rivers State has 19 governorship candidates, while 17 candidates are expected to contest in Gombe State.
In Ogun State, 13 political parties have nominated governorship candidates. They include Solomon Adeola of the APC, Oladipupo Adebutu of the PDP and Jimi Lawal of the ADC.
Jigawa State has 14 candidates on the INEC list, while Ebonyi Governor Francis Nwifuru will face PDP candidate Ifeanyi Odii and other contenders. Odii was also Nwifuru’s main challenger in the 2023 governorship election.
As part of its preparations for the polls, INEC has also announced plans to print sensitive election materials locally. These materials include ballot papers and result sheets.
The commission said it had inspected local printing companies and assessed their ability to produce the materials under secure conditions.
INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna said the sensitive materials would be produced close to election day because of the need to protect them from misuse. After production, the materials will be kept with the Central Bank of Nigeria before being distributed for the elections.
The commission has already started procuring and producing materials considered less sensitive, including ballot boxes. It has also placed orders for other equipment needed for the election, including Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines.
INEC said local printers selected for the production of ballot papers would be required to meet its technical and security standards.
The commission, however, said the shortened period available for election preparations remains one of its main challenges. The electoral timetable was reduced following changes to the electoral law, leaving INEC with less time than it had for the 2023 elections.
Haruna said the commission had received part of the funds needed for the 2027 elections and was working through the process of awarding contracts for printing and other election-related activities.
He also expressed confidence in the security capacity of the local companies being considered for the printing work, noting that local firms had successfully handled similar assignments during previous elections.
Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured Nigerians that preparations for the 2027 elections will not prevent the National Assembly from carrying out its legislative duties.
Akpabio said lawmakers would continue to attend to lawmaking, oversight and other constitutional responsibilities while also taking part in political campaigns.
The Senate President spoke with journalists in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and said lawmakers would have to properly manage their time as political activities increase.
He said campaign events could be scheduled around legislative activities, allowing lawmakers to perform their official duties while participating in electioneering.
Akpabio’s assurance comes as political parties and politicians increase their preparations for the 2027 elections, with candidates now formally listed by INEC and campaigns expected to begin in September.