The 2027 presidential race has formally opened up into a 19-candidate contest, with President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi among the biggest names on the final list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission on Saturday.
The publication formally sets the field for the February 2027 election, with the three leading contenders contesting on different platforms and backed by different political alliances.
The publication puts the three major contenders on separate political platforms, setting the stage for another closely watched presidential contest less than five months before Nigerians return to the polls.
Tinubu is seeking a second term on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, with Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
Atiku is flying the flag of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party, with former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
Obi is contesting under the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, alongside former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The final list also confirms the participation of 16 other candidates, reflecting a crowded field that cuts across Nigeria’s political parties.
Among them are Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress, Donald Duke of the Peoples Redemption Party, Sandy Onor of the PDP, Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party and Seyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement.
Other candidates are drawn from the Action Alliance, National Democratic Party, Young Progressives Party, Boot Party, Democratic Liberty Alliance, Zenith Labour Party, Labour Party, National Rescue Movement, Action Democratic Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party and Action Peoples Party.
The publication also gives voters access to the personal information submitted by the candidates, including their educational qualifications, occupations and other particulars.
INEC said the publication is part of its statutory responsibility under the Electoral Act and provides an opportunity for political parties, candidates and members of the public to scrutinise the information submitted to the commission.
With the final presidential field now published, attention is expected to shift to the campaigns, voter mobilisation and the ability of the leading contenders to convert their political structures and support bases into votes.
The commission has urged parties, candidates and voters to follow the approved electoral timetable and comply with the rules governing the 2027 election.