Meet two women on 2027 presidential ballot challenging Tinubu, Atiku, Obi

Two women will be on Nigeria's presidential ballot in the 2027 election, challenging incumbent President Bola Tinubu, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi. Ada Okwori of the National Democratic Party and Esther Nkem Okereke of the National Rescue Movement are the only two women among the 18 cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). INEC published the final list of candidates on September 12.

Ada Okwori, 48, is an Idoma from Benue State who founded the NDP and chairs it. She ran for the presidency after the party was initially rejected by INEC. After a court ruling in March 2026, the NDP was registered. Okwori's running mate is Uchenna Anthony Chukwuemeka, also 48. Her NDP platform promises a minimum of 40% women in its executive and candidate lists, and allocation of 15% of the national budget to education.

Esther Nkem Okereke, 43, is a Nollywood actress turned politician. She was chosen by consensus at the National Rescue Movement convention in Abuja on May 29. Okereke's party said she was the only aspirant who met all constitutional requirements. She has promised emergency action in education and power supply, calling Nigeria's democracy "bleeding" amid poverty and insecurity. Her running mate is Nasir Muhammed Sulaiman, 35.

Okwori and Okereke are among four women on the list as vice-presidential candidates, making up 16.7% of the presidential and vice-presidential field.