FULL LIST: 14 Candidates, Claimants in the 2027 Presidential Race

Nigeria’s 2027 presidential contest is taking shape as parties conclude primaries and affirm candidates, setting up what could be one of the most crowded fields in recent history.

The Independent National Electoral Commission fixed 30 May 2026 as the deadline for parties to complete primaries and resolve nomination disputes. 

INEC warned that parties failing to comply risk losing the right to field candidates. With that cutoff passed, attention is shifting to alliance-building, consultations, and early campaign groundwork ahead of the election scheduled for 16 January 2027.

The process has been messy in several parties, with factions, court cases, and dissenting aspirants challenging outcomes. 

Below are 14 presidential candidates and claimants who have emerged so far, listed in no particular order:

*1. Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC – Peter Obi*  

Obi, the 2023 Labour Party standard-bearer, is now flying the NDC banner. He has named former Kano governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate.

*2. All Progressives Congress, APC – Bola Tinubu*  

President Tinubu secured the APC ticket for a second term and is campaigning on his administration’s security and economic record.

*3. PDP, Wike-backed faction – Sandy Onor*  

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party aligned with Nyesom Wike has produced Sandy Onor as its presidential claimant.

*4. PDP, Turaki-backed faction – Goodluck Jonathan*  

A rival PDP bloc led by Tanimu Turaki has put forward former President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate, deepening the party’s internal split.

*5. ADC, David Mark-led faction – Atiku Abubakar*  

Atiku Abubakar emerged under an ADC faction backed by David Mark, pitching the ticket as an alternative to both APC and PDP.

*6. ADC, Kachikwu faction – Dumebi Kachikwu*  

A separate ADC group has fielded Dumebi Kachikwu, highlighting the party’s unresolved leadership tussle.

*7. Peoples Redemption Party, PRP – Donald Duke*  

Former Cross River governor Donald Duke is the PRP candidate, leaning on his record of governance and reform.

*8. African Action Congress, AAC – Omoyele Sowore*  

Activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore returns as the AAC flagbearer for a third consecutive presidential run.

*9. Social Democratic Party, SDP – Adewole Adebayo*  

Lawyer and businessman Adewole Adebayo secured the SDP ticket, running on a platform of constitutional reform and economic restructuring.

*10. SDP, Shehu Gabam-led faction – Abimbola Akeem Atanda*  

A breakaway SDP faction led by Shehu Gabam has nominated Abimbola Akeem Atanda, adding to the party’s internal dispute.

*11. Allied Peoples Movement, APM – Seyi Makinde*  

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde is listed as the APM candidate, though his standing as a sitting governor has sparked debate within the party.

*12. Action Democratic Party, ADP – Aliyu Bin Abbas*  

Aliyu Bin Abbas emerged as the ADP candidate after the party’s primary.

*13. Accord Party, AP – Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim*  

Businessman and activist Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim is the Accord Party’s standard-bearer.

*14. Labour Party – Dr. Chibuzo Okereke*  

Amid leadership struggles in the Labour Party, Dr. Chibuzo Okereke emerged as a claimant to the presidential ticket.

The multiplicity of candidates and factional claims, especially within the PDP, ADC, and SDP, is expected to trigger more legal challenges in the coming months. Parties will now turn to consultations and possible mergers as they prepare for full-scale campaigns.

With INEC’s timetable in effect, the race is officially underway.