2027: INEC releases details of gubernatorial candidates (See list)

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday opened another phase ahead of the 2027 elections by releasing the list of candidates running for governorship seats across the country.

The commission posts lists containing the names of candidates, vice presidential running mates and their political parties at its headquarters throughout the state. They also include the candidate’s age, educational background and other credentials.

The campaign for governor and state House of Representatives is expected to begin in September 2026 and end on February 4, 2027. The 2027 governor and state House of Representatives elections will be held on February 6.

In Lagos, 17 candidates, including the state’s current Deputy Governor, APC’s Obafemi Hamzat, and ADC’s Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, are vying for the governor’s seat.

In Oyo State, 16 candidates will contest for the governor’s seat.

APC candidate, Sharafadeen Alli, will take on Bimbo Adekambi of the Allied Peoples Movement and Yinusa Ayandare of the African Democratic Party.

In Kaduna State, Governor Uba Sani of the APC will face 17 other contestants, while Kebbi State has 14 gubernatorial candidates.

In Delta State, 16 candidates are vying for the top political seat in the state.

No less than 19 political parties will also participate in the Sokoto State governorship election.

In Kwara, 12 governorship candidates will contest the election.

Kwara State House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, who is the APC candidate, will face off against the PDP candidate, Bolakale Kawu, and 10 others.

Likewise, the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, is being challenged by 15 other gubernatorial candidates in the state.

For Bauchi State, 19 candidates are listed by INEC as individuals seeking to replace Governor Bala Muhammad.

Among the candidates is a female politician, Lami Babageidam from the Zenith Labor Party.

Additionally, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, will compete against five other gubernatorial aspirants, including former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, of the Peoples Democratic Party.

In Kano, Governor Abba Yusuf of the APC will compete against other gubernatorial candidates, including NDC gubernatorial candidate Aminu Gwarzo, Mohammed Raji of the Labor Party and Muhammad Dalhatu of the PDP.

For Rivers State, 19 governorship candidates will contest the election.

Meanwhile, no less than 17 governorship candidates have emerged in Gombe State as revealed by INEC Public Affairs Officer, Mohorret Bigun.

In Ogun, 13 political parties nominated candidates for governor. They include APC’s Solomon Adeola, PDP’s Oladipupo Adebutu and ADC’s Jimi Lawal.

Likewise, INEC announced 14 candidates for the Jigawa State governorship election.

For Ebonyi, Governor Francis Nwifuru will be in close competition with the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Ifeanyi Odii, and other contenders. Odii is Nwifuru’s main challenger in the 2023 gubernatorial election.