The Independent National Electoral Commission has published the final list of candidates for Nigeria's 2027 presidential election, confirming 18 presidential candidates and their running mates ahead of the January vote.

President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke are among the prominent political figures on the final list.

The document, signed by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony and released in Abuja, formally establishes the candidates expected to contest for Nigeria's presidency.

The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6.

INEC revised the timetable following the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026.

TINUBU, ATIKU AND OBI CONFIRMED

President Tinubu will seek another term on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, with Vice President Kashim Shettima again listed as his running mate.

Atiku will contest under the African Democratic Congress, with former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as his vice presidential candidate.

Peter Obi will contest on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress. Musa Mohammed Rabiu is listed as his running mate.

Seyi Makinde is the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, while former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke will represent the Peoples Redemption Party.

The Peoples Democratic Party will field Sandy Ojang Onor.

Omoyele Sowore is also returning to the presidential contest as the candidate of the African Action Congress.

FULL LIST OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

The 18 presidential candidates and their running mates on INEC's final list are:

TWO WOMEN AMONG 18 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

INEC's final list includes 16 male and two female presidential candidates.

The two women contesting for president are Ada Elizabeth Frederick Okwori of the National Democratic Party and Nkem Esther Okereke of the National Rescue Movement.

Four women are listed as vice presidential candidates.

They are Ofordile Peace Egobia of the APP, Abubakar Nafisat Usaku of the DLA, Konto Hajja Bintu of the Labour Party and Key Patience Ndidi of the YPP.

The presidential candidates range in age from 35 to 79.

Atiku, listed as 79, is the oldest presidential candidate, while DLA candidate Moses Adebisi, 35, is the youngest.

President Tinubu is listed as 74.

The final list also indicates that none of the presidential or vice presidential candidates declared a disability.

RACE FOR 2027 PRESIDENCY TAKES SHAPE

Publication of the final list represents another major milestone ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The field creates a presidential contest involving several of Nigeria's most recognisable political figures across different parties.

Tinubu will be fighting to retain the presidency for the APC, while Atiku and Obi will again attempt to secure Nigeria's highest political office, this time contesting under the ADC and NDC respectively.

Makinde, Duke, Sowore and other candidates add further dimensions to a race that will determine who leads Africa's most populous country after the January 16 election.