{
  "id": 6970447,
  "title": "INEC releases final list of 18 Presidential candidates for 2027 elections",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/inec-releases-final-list-of-18-presidential-candidates-for-2027",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-12T18:44:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nairametrics",
    "slug": "nairametrics",
    "url": "https://nairametrics.com/2026/09/12/inec-releases-final-list-of-18-presidential-candidates-for-2027-elections/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially unveiled the final roster of presidential candidates and their respective running mates for the upcoming January 2027 general elections. This announcement, signed by Secretary to the Commission Rose Oriaran-Anthony, was published on Saturday in Abuja, detailing the 18 political party-backed contenders vying for the nation's highest office. Of the 18 presidential flagbearers, 16 are males, accounting for 88.9 percent of the list, while the remaining two are female candidates. The male contenders include Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abubakar Atiku of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Peter Obi of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). On the female side, the vice-presidential candidates are Ofordile Egobia (APP), Abubakar Usaku (DLA), Konto Bintu (LP), and Patience Ndidi (YPP).\n\nIn February this year, INEC released an updated timetable for the 2027 General Elections, revising the dates from the initially announced February 20 to the more imminent January 16. This adjustment marks a significant shift in the electoral calendar, with Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections now scheduled for February 6, 2027. The revised timetable was announced two weeks following the initial dates set by INEC, which were adjusted after the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026. These legislative changes provided the electoral body with the necessary legal framework to modify the election timelines.\n\nThe revised schedule stipulates that campaigns for presidential and National Assembly candidates will commence on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates are set to begin on September 9, 2026. Prior to the unveiling of the candidate list, INEC had informed the National Assembly that the estimated cost to conduct the 2027 general elections is N873.78 billion, with an additional N171 billion required to fund its operations in 2026. This projected budget represents a substantial increase from the N313.4 billion allocated for the 2023 elections, underscoring the magnitude of financial resources needed to administer nationwide elections under the new electoral framework and revised timeline.",
  "summary": "The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final list of presidential candidates and their running mates for the January 2027 general elections. The list, signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, released on Saturday in Abuja, featured candidates sponsored by 18 political parties competing for the office. The gender distribution of […] The post…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}