Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election: a guide to the race
Nigerians vote for a president, senators and members of the House of Representatives on Saturday, 16 January 2027. Governorship and State House of Assembly elections follow on Saturday, 6 February 2027, under INEC’s revised timetable. This guide sets out who is on the ballot, the key dates, and what could still change.
The key dates
- 19 August 2026: Presidential and National Assembly campaigns began.
- 12 September 2026: INEC published its final list of presidential candidates.
- 15 December 2026: Final voter register due.
- 15 January 2027: Presidential and National Assembly campaigns end.
- 16 January 2027: Presidential and National Assembly elections.
- 5 February 2027: Governorship campaigns end.
- 6 February 2027: Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
The campaign dates are from INEC’s timetable, as reported by Voice of Nigeria.
Who is running
INEC’s final list has 18 presidential candidates, ThisDay reported. The list was signed by the commission’s secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony. It includes two women presidential candidates and four women running mates.
Three names are widely seen as the leading contenders.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu (APC). The sitting president is seeking a second term, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima again as his running mate.
Atiku Abubakar (ADC). The former vice-president is running for the African Democratic Congress, with former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate. His candidacy now faces a legal challenge (see below).
Peter Obi (NDC). The former Anambra State governor, who ran for the Labour Party in 2023, is the National Democratic Congress candidate. His running mate is Rabiu Kwankwaso, the former Kano State governor.
The full list
According to INEC’s list as compiled by NGElections:
- AA: Rufai Adekunle Omo-Aje, with Shehu Hussaini
- AAC: Omoyele Sowore, with Haruna Garba Magashi
- ADC: Atiku Abubakar, with Rotimi Amaechi
- ADP: Aliyu Abbas-Bin, with Chinazam Ike
- APC: Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with Kashim Shettima
- APM: Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, with Lawal Musa Daura
- APP: Kabiru Yusuf, with Peace Egobia Ofordile
- BP: Sunday Adenuga, with Usman Turaki Mustapha
- DLA: Moses Olusoji Adebisi, with Nafisat Usaku Abubakar
- LP: Sunday Chibuzo Okereke, with Hajja Bintu Konto
- NDC: Peter Gregory Obi, with Rabiu Kwankwaso
- NDP: Ada Elizabeth Fredrick Okwori, with Uchenna Anthony Chukwuemeka
- NRM: Nkem Esther Okereke, with Nasir Muhammed Sulaiman
- PDP: Sandy Ojang Onor, with Babangida Umaru
- PRP: Donald Duke, with Kabiru Rabiu
- SDP: Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo, with Usman Muhammed Bugaje
- YPP: Peter Ada Agada, with Patience Ndidi Key
- ZLP: Daniel Daberechukwu Nwanyanwu, with Khalid Hassan
The court case that could change the ballot
On 5 November 2026, a Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the David Mark-led ADC leadership and the decisions it took, including the primary that nominated Atiku, BusinessDay reported. The ADC says it will appeal. Until the appeal is decided, it is not certain whether Atiku will remain on the ballot.
The National Assembly race
About 4,864 candidates are contesting 469 seats: 109 in the Senate and 360 in the House of Representatives, according to ThisDay. Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Abbas Tajudeen are among those seeking re-election.
How a candidate wins
To win in the first round, a presidential candidate needs the most votes nationwide and at least 25% of the votes cast in two-thirds of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as set out in Section 134 of the 1999 Constitution. If no one meets that test, a run-off is held.
Are you ready to vote?
Check that your name is on the register and find your polling unit before election day. Our guide on how to check your voter registration status explains how.
Jogos Media will update this guide as the campaign develops.
