Meet the Candidates for Nigeria's 2027 Presidential Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced the cleared presidential candidates for the election coming up on 16 January 2027.

Out of the 22 registered political parties in Nigeria, INEC has approved candidates from 18 of them. The three parties without candidates are the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and the Youth Party (YP).

APGA and YP did not put forward any presidential candidates for the 2027 elections. The NNPP, on the other hand, withdrew its presidential nomination during the substitution period.

Some prominent candidates on the list include President Bola Tinubu from the APC, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the ADC, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi representing the NDC, Oyo State Governor Oluseyi Makinde from the APM, former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke of the PRP, and former Senator Sandy Onor from the PDP.

Although INEC has listed 18 candidates, there are hints that this list may grow to include Accord Party candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, who was recently cleared by the court. This would raise the total to 19 candidates.

There are only two female candidates: Ada Okwori from the National Democratic Party (NDP) and Esther Okereke from the National Rescue Movement (NRM).

Four women are vying for the vice-presidential position. They are Peace Egobia (APP), Nafisat Usaku (DLA), Hanna Konto (LP), and Patience Key (YPP).

The candidates for president are aged between 35 and 79, while the vice-presidential candidates range from 35 to 80 years old. The oldest presidential candidate is Atiku of the ADC, who is 79, while Moses Adebisi from the DLA is the youngest at 35.

Bola Tinubu, All Progressives Congress (APC)

President Bola Tinubu, aged 74, is running for a second term after winning the 2023 presidential election with 8,794,726 votes.

He was born on 29 March 1952 and graduated from Chicago State University in 1979. Mr. Tinubu worked in accounting and the oil sector before starting his political career. He was elected senator for Lagos West in 1992 and served as the governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, after participating in the pro-democracy movement.

He helped establish the APC in 2013 and has been in office since May 2023. During his time in office, Mr. Tinubu has removed the petrol subsidy, introduced reforms in foreign exchange, and worked on changes in taxation and public finance. The World Bank recently reported a 4.2 percent growth in Nigeria's economy for the first half of 2026. Yet, many Nigerians still struggle with high costs of food and transport, and security issues persist nationwide.

His financial history has come under scrutiny, particularly a 1993 civil forfeiture settlement in the United States linked to a drug case without a criminal conviction.

Mr. Tinubu secured the APC presidential nomination in May 2026 andkept Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate.

On 14 October, he launched the party’s Presidential Campaign Council, urging supporters to defend his administration’s achievements. His campaign will focus on continuing the Renewed Hope economic reforms, expanding infrastructure, and improving security. The election will test how much trust the public has in these reforms and whether they have led to better living conditions.

Atiku Abubakar, African Democratic Congress (ADC)

Atiku Abubakar, aged 79, is a businessman and former customs officer who served as Nigeria’s vice president from 1999 to 2007. He was born on 25 November 1946 in Jada, Adamawa State, and studied law at Ahmadu Bello University.

Atiku worked in the Nigeria Customs Service from 1969 until 1989, retiring as a deputy director. He entered politics through the movement associated with Shehu Yar’Adua and won the Adamawa governorship election in 1998 but chose to be Olusegun Obasanjo’s running mate instead.

As vice president, Atiku led the National Council on Privatisation, overseeing policies from the Bureau of Public Enterprises. His time in office faced criticism over how public assets were managed.

In September 2026, an international arbitration ruling raised questions about a $500,000 payment to his ex-wife concerning the Mambilla power project dispute. The tribunal found no proof that Atiku used his official position to aid in the contract. Atiku has denied any wrongdoing. He has run for the presidency in 2007, 2019, and 2023, coming second in the last election with 6,984,520 votes.

Atiku won the ADC presidential nomination in May 2026, defeating former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen. Amaechi later became his running mate after withdrawing his legal challenge to the primary.

His campaign will focus on economic recovery, security, and electoral reforms, including support for locally refined petroleum products. The ADC’s internal disagreements and efforts to unite the opposition are key challenges for his candidacy.

Peter Obi, Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)

Peter Obi, 65, is a businessman and the former governor of Anambra State.

He was born on 19 July 1961 in Onitsha and comes from Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area. He studied Philosophy at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Before his political career, he worked in banking and commerce, even serving as chairman of Fidelity Bank. He became Anambra governor in March 2006 after winning a court case against the 2003 election results.

His time as governor faced interruptions due to impeachment and legal battles, but he completed his second term in March 2014. Mr. Obi invested in education and returned some schools to missionary management while promoting fiscal responsibility. His claim of leaving behind significant savings has been debated, with the Anambra government questioning his financial records.

A 2021 investigation by PREMIUM TIMES raised concerns about his offshore business dealings, which he denied violating any laws.

Mr. Obi was Atiku’s running mate in 2019 and ran for president in 2023 under the Labour Party, getting 6,101,533 votes and finishing third.

He became the NDC presidential candidate in May 2026, with former Kano Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate. Together, they bring in politicians who had over 7.5 million votes in 2023, but those votes may not easily transfer to their joint ticket.

Mr. Obi promises to focus on security, agriculture, manufacturing, education, and healthcare, and he vows to serve only one four-year term if elected.

Seyi Makinde, Allied Peoples Movement (APM)

Seyi Makinde, 58, is an engineer and businessman who has served two terms as the governor of Oyo State.

He was born on 25 December 1967 in Ibadan. He studied Electrical Engineering at the University of Lagos and started his own company, Makon Engineering and Technical Services, after working in the oil and gas sector.

He ran for governor in 2015 but lost. He won on the Peoples Democratic Party platform in 2019 and got re-elected in 2023.

His government removed a ₦3,000 secondary school fee, supported the transfer of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology to Oyo State ownership, and worked on road projects. His government also reported an increase in internal revenue, but the link between revenue growth and public service improvements needs more analysis.

Mr. Makinde’s presidential ambition grew amid disagreements within the PDP, leading him to accept the APM nomination on 30 May 2026.

His running mate is Lawal Daura, a former director-general of the State Security Service (SSS), who was dismissed in August 2018 after armed personnel blocked the National Assembly.

Mr. Makinde has promised to decentralise security management, improve economic governance, and create a four-year transitional Government of National Unity. He faces the challenge of converting his state electoral success into national support through the smaller APM.

Sandy Onor, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

Sandy Onor, 60, is a historian and university professor who used to be a senator from Cross River State.

He was born on 14 February 1966 and studied History at the University of Calabar, earning a doctorate in 1993. He was chairman of Etung Local Government Area from 1999 to 2002 and held several state government roles, including commissioner for agriculture and environment. He won the Cross River Central senatorial election in 2019 and served in the Ninth Senate.

During his time in the Senate, Mr. Onor was deputy chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, sponsoring various legislation like the Advanced Healthcare Development Fund Bill.

He ran for governor of Cross River on the PDP platform in 2023 but lost to Bassey Otu of the APC, who got 258,619 votes against his 179,636. Mr. Onor challenged this outcome, but the Supreme Court confirmed Mr. Otu’s election in January 2024.

Mr. Onor emerged as the presidential candidate of the PDP faction linked with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike in May 2026, with Babangida Umaru as his running mate. While INEC has listed him as the party’s candidate, a rival faction led by Tanimu Turaki nominated former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Mr. Onor has prioritised local government autonomy, rural development, job creation, and security in his campaign. The ongoing divisions within the PDP pose a significant challenge for his campaign.

Donald Duke, Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)

Donald Duke, 65, is a lawyer and former governor of Cross River State.

Born on 30 September 1961 in Calabar, he studied Law at Ahmadu Bello University and earned a master’s degree at the University of Pennsylvania. He was Cross River State commissioner for finance and planning before winning the governorship in 1999 on the PDP platform and re-elected in 2003.

His leadership promoted tourism through Obudu Mountain Resort, Carnival Calabar, and Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort. While Carnival Calabar became popular, Tinapa faced challenges in attracting business activities.

In September 2026, former Governor Liyel Imoke raised concerns about financial liabilities from the Duke administration, while Mr. Duke defended how the project was financed. Cross River’s 2024 audited accounts showed an investment of ₦58.7 billion in Tinapa, an accounting figure rather than its initial construction cost.

Mr. Duke also ran for president in 2019 on the SDP platform, receiving 34,746 votes.

He won the PRP presidential primary in May 2026, with Rabiu Kabiru as his running mate. A Federal High Court dismissed a challenge to his nomination in September, although the defeated aspirant appealed.

Mr. Duke has promised to improve security, education, healthcare, and economic management, including reducing petrol prices to about ₦300 per litre. His past presidential result shows the difficulty in gaining national support.

Omoyele Sowore, African Action Congress (AAC)

Omoyele Sowore, 55, is a journalist and activist known for founding SaharaReporters.

Born on 16 February 1971 in Ondo State, he studied Geography and Regional Planning at the University of Lagos and later obtained a master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbia University.

In 2006, he started SaharaReporters, an online news platform that focuses on corruption and human rights violations.

Mr. Sowore founded the AAC in 2018 and has contested the presidential elections in 2019 and 2023, garnering 33,953 and 14,608 votes, respectively.

His activism, including the #RevolutionNow movement, often brought him into conflict with security forces. In 2019, he was arrested for treasonable felony, but the Federal High Court dropped the charges in February 2024 after the government stopped the prosecution. He is also facing a separate cybercrime case over social media posts about President Tinubu, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Mr. Sowore became the AAC presidential candidate unopposed in May 2026, with lawyer Haruna Magashi as his running mate. His campaign promises include a ₦500,000 monthly minimum wage, free education, one million public homes, restoration of petrol subsidies, and improved electricity.

He estimated the wage proposal would add about ₦7.1 trillion to the annual federal wage bill, raising questions about how to fund it. This will be Mr. Sowore's third attempt at the presidency, testing if his activism can attract more votes than before.

Rufai Omo-Aje, Action Alliance (AA)

Rufai Adekunle Omo-Aje, 71, is a businessman and the national chairman of the Action Alliance.

He was born on 15 January 1955 and is from Ede in Osun State.

INEC lists his qualifications as primary and secondary school certificates. His political experience is mainly in party management rather than elected office, and information about his business activities is scarce.

Mr. Omo-Aje became the AA national chairman after a convention in Osogbo in 2020, but he has faced challenges from a rival faction linked to Kenneth Udeze. This dispute has led to court rulings and confusion about who represents the party. INEC later recognized Mr. Omo-Aje’s leadership through a court order.

However, this issue extended to the presidential nomination, with Joseph Faduri contesting INEC’s recognition of Mr. Omo-Aje as the candidate.

Mr. Omo-Aje secured the AA presidential nomination through consensus in May 2026, with Zamfara politician Shehu Hussaini as his running mate.

His campaign promises include improving security, economic management, national unity, and grassroots engagement. The party received 14,542 votes in the 2023 election under its former candidate, Hamza Al-Mustapha.

Mr. Omo-Aje must resolve nomination disputes and grow AA’s limited national support.

Aliyu Abbas, Action Democratic Party (ADP)

Aliyu Abbas, 44, is a political organizer and former aide to Atiku Abubakar, seeking the presidency for the ADP.

Originally from Borno State, he says he grew up as an Almajiri in Kano before advancing his education.

INEC records his qualifications as a First School Leaving Certificate, Senior School Certificate, and a bachelor's degree.

In December 2018, Atiku appointed him as Special Assistant on Youth Support Groups during his campaign. Mr. Abbas later founded the National Youth Alliance, claiming to have inaugurated hundreds of coordinators across Nigeria in 2026, although this claim has not been independently verified.

He has no documented record of being elected to public office. His political involvement has focused on campaign organization, advocacy, and engaging with youth.

He became the ADP’s consensus presidential candidate at the national convention in Abuja on 30 May, with Ike Chinazam, 50, as his running mate.

INEC added them to the list of candidates for the election.

Yet, another aspirant, Johnson Chukwuka, challenged his nomination in court, claiming that the party did not hold a valid primary.

His campaign focuses on youth involvement, unity, security, education, and economic growth. During his nomination, he proposed using artificial intelligence to tackle national issues, with an eight-point agenda that includes food security and transport reforms.

However, a detailed manifesto with verified costs was not available as of the research deadline.

The ADP gained 43,924 votes in the 2023 presidential election, about 0.18 percent of the valid votes. Mr. Abbas must turn his youth mobilization efforts into electoral support while defending his nomination against the ongoing legal challenge.

Yusuf Kabiru, Action Peoples Party (APP)

Yusuf Kabiru, 54, is the APP’s presidential candidate, with Ofordile Egobia, 47, as his running mate.

INEC lists his qualifications as a First School Leaving Certificate, Senior School Certificate, and National Diploma. However, his state of origin, work history, educational background, and prior political roles could not be independently verified.

Details of his nomination as the APP candidate are also scarce. The party supposedly planned its presidential primary for 27 May, but no authenticated results or detailed reports explaining his selection were found. His inclusion on INEC’s final list confirms his status as the party’s candidate but does not clarify if he faced competition or was chosen by consensus.

His running mate, Ms. Ofordile, is among the female candidates for vice president in 2027, but her professional and political history could not be confirmed. Likewise, no verified manifesto or detailed policy plan attributed to Mr. Kabiru was found by 17 October.

The APP ran in the 2023 presidential election with Charles Nnadi as its candidate, receiving 12,839 votes, around 0.05 percent of the valid votes. The party’s highest total came from Oyo, where it got 1,985 votes, according to an election database. These results provide context but do not measure Mr. Kabiru’s current support. Although his candidacy is officially recognized, many questions remain about his experience and the nomination process.

Sunday Adenuga, Boot Party (BP)

Sunday Adenuga, 52, is the presidential candidate for the Boot Party (BP), which stands for “Because of Our Tomorrow.” He is from Ogun State and holds a master’s degree in Project Management from Northumbria University, along with certifications in IT governance and security.

Although he has never held public office, Mr. Adenuga has been involved with the Boot Party since it was formed in 2016. It was registered by INEC in 2019 after a legal battle.

He has served as the party’s national chairman since 2020 and was its presidential candidate in the 2023 election, where he received only 16,156 votes, about 0.07 percent of the total.

Mr. Adenuga is seeking the presidency again after emerging unopposed in the party’s 2027 primary. His campaign is based on the “One Working Nigeria” (OWN) agenda, focusing on technology, transparency, and reforms to fix national challenges.

He is running with a 40-year-old Usman Mustapha.

Moses Adebisi, Democratic Labour Alliance (DLA)

Moses Adebisi, 35, from Osun State, is the youngest presidential candidate according to INEC’s list.

He grew up in Gbongan, Aiyedaade Local Government Area, where he completed his primary and secondary education. He claims to have obtained a diploma from the Global Distance Learning Institute in Abuja and a degree in Human Resource Management from ISCG University in Benin Republic.

Mr. Adebisi became the DLA’s presidential candidate at a substitution primary on 20 August 2026 after the party’s national chairman, Samuel Memeh, withdrew.

His selection has sparked controversy as a group of the party’s governorship candidates withdrew their support, claiming the party has no legitimate presidential candidate.

Mr. Adebisi is running with 35-year-old Abubakar Nafisat. Their campaign revolves around a plan called “The Divine Order for a New Nigeria,” promising reforms in governance, the economy, and security.

Sunday Okereke, Labour Party (LP)

Okereke Okereke, 43, is the Labour Party’s presidential candidate. He is from Abia State and is an expert in legislative governance, policy analysis, and consulting.

He became the party’s candidate through a consensus arrangement at a convention in Abuja on 30 May, which the party reaffirmed.

Mr. Okereke holds a PhD in Legislative Governance Studies from the Federal University Lokoja and has master’s degrees in Legislative and Democratic Studies from the University of Benin and the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies. He also has a degree in accounting from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

He is the president of ERGAF-AFRICA Legislative Governance Innovation and Policy Hub and works as a legislative consultant for the National Assembly. He also teaches public policy and administration at Miva Open University in Abuja.

His campaign will focus on restructuring institutions and transforming Nigeria into a productive economy. He is running with Hanna Konto, 54.

Adewole Adebayo, Social Democratic Party (SDP)

Adewole Adebayo, 54, from Ondo State, is a lawyer and media entrepreneur seeking the presidency again under the SDP. He ran in 2023 on the same platform, gaining 80,267 votes.

A long-time SDP member, Mr. Adebayo attended St Stephen Primary School and St Joseph College, finishing secondary school in 1989. He earned a law degree from Obafemi Awolowo University in 1997 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2000.

He has since expanded his legal practice internationally, qualifying for the New York Bar and the California State Bar. He has licenses to practice in various global jurisdictions, including federal courts in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada.

In 2006, he was appointed to Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission by the UN and ECOWAS, aiming to address the aftermath of the country’s civil war.

Mr. Adebayo also founded KAFTAN TV in 2016, a multilingual channel that operates in Nigeria and broadcasts internationally via satellite.

Though he has not held executive office, he presents himself as an alternative to the APC and PDP. His 2027 policy plan, titled “Farewell to Poverty and Insecurity,” focuses on good governance, food security, judicial independence, and full employment.

He is running with Usman Bugaje, 74.

Peter Agada, Young Progressives Party (YPP)

Peter Agada, 54, is the YPP’s presidential candidate. He was born in Enugu and comes from Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State. He is an architect and politician.

He became the YPP presidential candidate alongside his running mate, Patience Key, during a substitution primary in Abuja on 21 August 2026, replacing Anita Zugwai-Chukwu.

Mr. Agada holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Architecture from the University of Jos and a PhD in Architecture from the University of Lagos.

He previously served as finance director in the Obidient Movement, a support group for Peter Obi. In May 2026, he announced his presidential bid under the Labour Party, presenting himself as a potential reconciler amid internal party issues.

His campaign was cut short when he was disqualified during screening. Mr. Agada criticized party leaders for what he called betrayal and exclusion.