2027: INEC releases details of governorship candidates (See list)

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) unveiled the list of candidates vying for governorship seats across various states in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections. Campaigns for the governorship and state House of Assembly elections are set to commence in September 2026 and conclude on February 4, 2027. The actual polls will take place on February 6, 2027.

In Lagos, a total of 17 candidates, including the current Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat from the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Alliance for Democracy (ADC), are competing for the governorship position. In Oyo State, 16 candidates, including APC's Sharafadeen Alli and Bimbo Adekambi of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), will be in the running.

In Kaduna State, Governor Uba Sani of the APC will face a field of 17 other contestants. Kebbi State has 14 individuals vying for the governorship seat. Delta State is set to see a contest among 16 candidates. The Sokoto State governorship election is expected to have no fewer than 19 political parties participating, with 19 candidates in the fray.

Kwara State will witness a contest between the APC candidate, Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Bolakale Kawu, along with 10 other contenders. Similarly, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal will face competition from 15 other governorship candidates.

Bauchi State's Governor Bala Muhammed will be challenged by 19 candidates, including female politician Lami Babageidam from the Zenith Labour Party. Benue State's incumbent Governor Hyacinth Alia will contest against five other candidates, including former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Michael Aondoakaa of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

In Kano State, APC's Abba Yusuf will face off against representatives from the National Democratic Convention (NDC), Aminu Gwarzo, the Labour Party's Mohammed Raji, and the PDP's Muhammad Dalhatu. Rivers State will see 19 candidates, including Solomon Adeola of the APC, Oladipupo Adebutu of the PDP, and Jimi Lawal of the Alliance for Democracy (ADC).

In Gombe State, INEC reported 17 governorship candidates. Ogun State's election will feature candidates from 13 political parties, including Solomon Adeola of the APC, Oladipupo Adebutu of the PDP, and Jimi Lawal of the ADC. In Jigawa State, 14 candidates have been listed by INEC. Ebonyi State's Governor Francis Nwifuru will face off against the PDP's Ifeanyi Odii and other challengers.