INEC publishes 2027 Governorship candidates, reveals major contenders across states

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the names and personal details of candidates seeking election as governors across states where governorship polls will be held in 2027.

The particulars, contained in Form EC9, were displayed at INEC offices nationwide on Saturday, giving voters and political stakeholders a clearer picture of the candidates and parties preparing for the forthcoming elections.

The published information includes candidates’ ages, educational qualifications and other details contained in their nomination documents.

The lists show that major political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM), will feature prominently in several of the contests.

Major Governorship Contests

In Oyo State, 16 candidates are listed for the governorship election. The APC is fielding Sharafadeen Alli, while Bimbo Adekambi is contesting under the APM. Yinusa Ayandare is also among the candidates.

Lagos State has one of the largest fields, with 17 candidates. The APC candidate is incumbent Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, while Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour is contesting under the ADC.

In Kaduna, Governor Uba Sani is seeking another term on the APC platform and will face 17 other candidates.

Kebbi has 14 candidates, while Delta State has 16 contenders.

Sokoto has 19 candidates, making it one of the most competitive governorship contests on the list.

In Kwara, 12 candidates are listed. APC candidate and state House of Assembly Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu will face PDP candidate Bolakale Kawu and other contenders.

Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal is seeking re-election among 16 candidates, while Bauchi has 19 candidates.

One of the Bauchi contenders is Lami Babageidam of the Zenith Labour Party.

In Benue, Governor Hyacinth Alia is the APC candidate and will face five other contenders, including former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, of the PDP.

In Kano, Governor Abba Yusuf is seeking another term under the APC. Other notable candidates include Aminu Gwarzo of the NDC, Mohammed Raji of the Labour Party and Muhammad Dalhatu of the PDP.

Rivers State has 19 candidates, while Gombe has 17, according to INEC Public Affairs Officer Mohorret Bigun.

In Ogun, 13 political parties have presented candidates, including APC’s Solomon Adeola, PDP’s Oladipupo Adebutu and ADC’s Jimi Lawal.

APC Fields Incumbent Governors, Prominent Politicians

The APC has also uploaded its governorship candidates to the INEC portal, with the list featuring several incumbent governors and prominent political figures.

Among them are:

• Obafemi Hamzat — Lagos
• Solomon Adeola — Ogun
• Sharafadeen Alli — Oyo
• Kingsley Chinda — Rivers
• Eric Opah — Abia
• Uba Sani — Kaduna
• Mustapha Gubio — Borno
• Jamilu Gwamna — Gombe
• Aliyu Wadada — Nasarawa
• Yakubu Danladi-Salihu — Kwara
• Baba Malam Wali — Yobe
• Hyacinth Alia — Benue
• Bassey Otu — Cross River
• Sheriff Oborevwori — Delta
• Francis Nwifuru — Ebonyi
• Peter Mbah — Enugu
• Umar Namadi — Jigawa
• Abba Yusuf — Kano
• Dikko Radda — Katsina
• Ahmed Tijani Galadima — Adamawa
• Umar Bago — Niger
• Nasir Idris — Kebbi
• Caleb Mutfwang — Plateau
• Umo Eno — Akwa Ibom
• Dauda Lawal — Zamfara
• Mohammed Abubakar — Bauchi
• Ahmed Aliyu — Sokoto
• Agbu Kefas — Taraba

Notable Omissions and Changes

The publication has also brought attention to notable omissions and changes in some states.

In Nasarawa, former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar Adamu was reportedly absent from the published list despite previously securing the SDP governorship ticket after leaving the APC. Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, who defeated Adamu in the APC nomination contest, is listed as the party’s candidate.

Rivers State is expected to witness another crowded contest, with APC’s Chinda Kingsley Ogundu, NDC’s Lulu-Briggs Dumo Owukori and ADC’s Gabriel Pidomson among those listed.

There will be no governorship election in Bayelsa State in 2027. However, the state’s 24 House of Assembly seats will be contested, with INEC listing 250 candidates for the legislative election.

Similarly, Edo State will not hold a governorship election in 2027, although elections will be conducted for the State House of Assembly.

In Sokoto, the 19-candidate race includes APC’s Ahmed Aliyu, PDP’s Abdullah Sokoto Abubakar, ADC’s Manir Muhammad Dan’Iya and NDC’s Aliyu Shamsudeen Ahmad.

Security Tightened Ahead of Campaigns

The publication of the candidates comes as security preparations intensify ahead of the election season.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly increased security around presidential and governorship candidates as political activities gather momentum.

Prominent presidential contenders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, are reportedly among those covered by the security arrangements.

A security source said the measures were intended to be non-partisan and followed a directive from President Bola Tinubu to ensure that political candidates were adequately protected.

“All the candidates are being taken care of. The DSS is deploying enough manpower for protective duties,” the source said.

Governorship candidates and their running mates are also reportedly receiving security cover.

The DSS has also identified locations considered vulnerable to election-related violence and increased surveillance in such areas, particularly around National Assembly and State House of Assembly contests.

With the publication of the Form EC9 particulars, the 2027 governorship races have now entered another crucial phase, providing voters with an official picture of the candidates seeking control of state governments across the country.

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