The race for Nigeria’s 2027 governorship elections has moved from behind-the-scenes manoeuvring to an open contest following the official publication of candidate lists and running mates by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The electoral umpire released the official register on Saturday for the 6 February 2027 polls, concluding months of political speculation and setting up contested races across 36 states.
INEC displayed candidate particulars—including ages, academic qualifications, and personal credentials—at its offices nationwide using Form EC9. Under the official timetable, campaign activities for governorship and State Houses of Assembly seats will commence in September 2026 and close on 4 February 2027.
The INEC register indicates dense fields in several states. Lagos and Kaduna have each recorded 17 candidates. In Lagos, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat leads the ticket for the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour flies the flag for the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In Kaduna, Governor Uba Sani of the APC faces 16 challengers.
Sokoto, Bauchi, and Rivers feature the highest contestation, with 19 political parties fielding candidates in each state.
Other strategic battlegrounds display similarly competitive setups:
Oyo (16 candidates): APC candidate Sharafadeen Alli faces Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate Bimbo Adekambi—backed by Governor Seyi Makinde—and African Democratic Party (ADP) candidate Yinusa Ayandare.
Delta and Zamfara (16 candidates each): Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara seeks re-election against 15 opponents.
Gombe (17 candidates) & Kebbi (14 candidates): High party participation across northern states.
Ogun (13 parties): Contenders include APC candidate Solomon Adeola, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Oladipupo Adebutu, and ADC candidate Jimi Lawal.
Kwara (12 candidates): House of Assembly Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu (APC) faces PDP candidate Bolakale Kawu.
Benue (6 candidates): Governor Hyacinth Alia faces five challengers, including former Attorney-General of the Federation Michael Aondoakaa, SAN (PDP).
Kano: Governor Abba Yusuf faces Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate Aminu Gwarzo, Labour Party candidate Mohammed Raji, and PDP candidate Muhammad Dalhatu.
Ebonyi: A repeat of the 2023 race pits Governor Francis Nwifuru against PDP candidate Ifeanyi Odii.
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INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna announced that the commission will print all sensitive election materials locally for the 2027 general election, including ballot papers and result sheets.
Following security inspections of domestic printing facilities, Haruna confirmed that local corporate infrastructure matches or exceeds government security presses. The sensitive items will be produced shortly before the polls, transferred to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and distributed in the presence of political parties, civil society organisations, and media representatives.
INEC has already placed procurement orders for non-sensitive equipment, including ballot boxes and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices. Haruna cited the compressed statutory timeline as the chief operational risk, following legislative amendments that reduced preparation windows from 12 months to six months.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio assured the public that the 2027 election season will not disrupt parliamentary proceedings.
Speaking at the Presidential Wing of the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo, Akpabio stated that lawmakers will manage campaign activities alongside legislative responsibilities. He noted that plenary sessions and committee meetings will be held during morning hours, leaving afternoons and evenings free for political campaigning.
With the display of Form EC9 completed, political parties now turn to formal campaign structures ahead of the September kickoff.
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