The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially published the personal particulars and nomination documents of candidates seeking governorship seats in the 2027 general elections.
The details were made public through Form EC9 and displayed at INEC headquarters and state offices nationwide, providing clear insight into the political lineups across the country. The displayed documents outline candidates' ages, educational qualifications, and running mate details.
According to the official timetable released by the commission, political campaigns for governorship and State House of Assembly elections will run from September 2026 until February 4, 2027, with election day scheduled for February 6, 2027. Major parties dominating the lists include the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Field breakdowns across major states include:
* Lagos: 17 candidates listed, including incumbent Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat of the APC and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the ADC.
* Rivers: 19 candidates featured, including APC candidate Chinda Kingsley Ogundu, NDC candidate Lulu-Briggs Dumo Owukori, and ADC candidate Gabriel Pidomson.
* Sokoto: 19 candidates listed, led by APC’s Ahmed Aliyu, PDP’s Abdullah Sokoto Abubakar, ADC’s Manir Muhammad Dan’Iya, and NDC’s Aliyu Shamsudeen Ahmad.
* Bauchi: 19 candidates featured, including female contender Lami Babageidam of the Zenith Labour Party.
* Oyo: 16 candidates listed, including APC’s Sharafadeen Alli, APM’s Bimbo Adekambi, and ADP’s Yinusa Ayandare.
* Kano: Governor Abba Yusuf listed on the APC ticket, alongside NDC’s Aminu Gwarzo, Labour Party’s Mohammed Raji, and PDP’s Muhammad Dalhatu.
* Benue: Governor Hyacinth Alia listed as the APC flagbearer alongside five contenders, including former Attorney General Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) of the PDP.
* Kwara: 12 candidates listed, featuring Kwara Assembly Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu of the APC and Bolakale Kawu of the PDP.
Other states with published lists include Kaduna (18 candidates), Gombe (17 candidates), Delta and Zamfara (16 candidates each), Kebbi and Jigawa (14 candidates each), and Ogun (13 candidates). Neither Bayelsa nor Edo will conduct governorship elections in 2027 due to off-cycle election schedules, though their state legislative seats will be contested.
The APC candidates list uploaded to the INEC portal confirms several incumbent governors and prominent political figures, including Bassey Otu (Cross River), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Dikko Radda (Katsina), Umar Bago (Niger), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and Agbu Kefas (Taraba).
To ensure a level playing field, the Department of State Services (DSS) has beefed up security details for candidates following directives from President Bola Tinubu. Protective details and increased surveillance have been deployed to cover key political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, alongside governorship candidates and their running mates.
