INEC Publishes Preliminary List Of Sowore, Tinubu, Atiku, Obi, 15 Others As 2027 Presidential Candidates
INEC Publishes Preliminary List Of Sowore, Tinubu, Atiku, Obi, 15 Others As 2027 Presidential Candidates
The list, arranged alphabetically by political party, has the Action Alliance (AA) as the first party, with Adekunle Rufai Omoaje as its presidential candidate and Shehu Hussaini as his running mate.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the personal particulars of 19 presidential candidates and their running mates for the 2027 general election, displaying the preliminary list at its offices across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday.
The list, arranged alphabetically by political party, has the Action Alliance (AA) as the first party, with Adekunle Rufai Omoaje as its presidential candidate and Shehu Hussaini as his running mate.
The African Action Congress (AAC) follows second on the list, with Omoyele Sowore as its presidential candidate and Magashi Haruna Garba as the vice-presidential candidate.
President Bola Tinubu was listed as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), retaining Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged on the ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), paired with former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi. Peter Obi was listed as the candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), with Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate.
Other candidates on the list include Senator Sandy Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), running with Umaru Babangida; Donald Duke of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), paired with Buba Musa; and Seyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), running with Ibrahim Adamu Bala.
The remaining candidates are: Abbas-Bin Aliyu (Action Democratic Party), Yusuf Kabiru (All Peoples Party), Adenuga Sunday (Boot Party), Memeh Samuel (Democratic League of Africa), Okwori Ada Elizabeth Frederick (National Democratic Party), Dikwa Suleiman Mohammed (New Nigeria Peoples Party), Okereke Iken Esther (National Rescue Movement), Adebayo Adewole Ebenezer (Social Democratic Party), Chukwu Anita Zugwai (Young Progressives Party), and Nwanyanwu Daniel Danerechukwu (Zenith Labour Party).
According to INEC, the display forms part of its obligation under Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which requires the commission to publish candidates’ Form EC9, containing affidavits, educational qualifications, and other personal particulars, within 21 days of receipt from political parties.
However, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, cautioned that the display should not be mistaken for a final list of candidates.
He said political parties retain the right to withdraw or replace nominees up until August 22, 2026, in line with Section 31 of the Electoral Act. The final list of candidates is scheduled for publication on September 12, 2026.
Notably absent from the list is former President Goodluck Jonathan, whom a faction of the PDP led by Tanimu Turaki had claimed to have presented to INEC as its presidential candidate.
The publication has drawn attention partly for the academic records it disclosed. Tinubu’s submitted particulars indicated he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University, United States, obtained in 1979, and that he served in the National Youth Service Corps between December 1982 and November 1983. His date of birth was listed as March 29, 1952, making him 74.
Campaigns for the 2027 presidential election are set to officially commence on August 19, 2026.
Reacting to the list on Sunday, Sowore urged Nigerians to vote for the AAC, saying a vote for the party is a vote for “courage, competence and a clear vision for the future.”
“Your favorite is Number 2 on this list, the candidate of the revolutionary AAC Party,” he stated.
