2027: Meet the contenders for Nigeria’s presidency and governorships

Nigeria’s political parties have begun positioning themselves for the 2027 elections, a cycle expected to produce some of the country’s most closely fought contests.

The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027. Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will follow on Saturday, February 6. In a first series, THISDAY presents candidates listed in material published by the Independent National Electoral Commission, offering a state-by-state guide to the governorship races and the parties behind them.

The presidential list contains 19 candidates, while the governorship lists cover 28 states. The number of contenders varies widely. Akwa Ibom has 21 governorship candidates, more than the number competing for the presidency. Bauchi has 19, while Adamawa has 14 and Abia has 13. Borno lists 10 candidates, Ebonyi 11, Cross River 12 and Delta seven.

The political situations also differ from state to state. Abia’s incumbent, Alex Otti, is among the candidates. In Adamawa, the incumbent governor will not appear on the ballot. Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed has completed two terms, leaving the race open. Incumbents in Benue, Cross River and Delta are seeking second terms.

The lists remain provisional. Governorship candidates can still be replaced, meaning names and party affiliations may change before the final publication. THISDAY also said it faced difficulties obtaining complete information on all parties in some states because some INEC officials declined to release it.