INEC Releases 2027 Governorship, Assembly Candidates’ Details

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the personal details of candidates nominated by political parties for the 2027 governorship and State House of Assembly elections across several states.

The publication, released on Saturday, features prominent political figures, including Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, and former Nasarawa State governorship candidate Emmanuel David Ombugadu.

INEC said the exercise was carried out in line with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the commission to publish the particulars of nominated candidates within 21 days of receiving the relevant information from political parties.

In Nasarawa State, Ombugadu was listed as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, alongside candidates from the APC, SDP, APP, Labour Party, ADC, APGA, ADP, PRP, APM, AA, YPP and NDC.

In Kwara State, INEC listed the State House of Assembly Speaker, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, as the APC governorship candidate. The PDP is represented by Sulaiman Bolakale Kawu, while other candidates include Ridwan Apaokagi of the SDP, Adeshina Ajisafe of the ADP and Seko Jubril Gure of the Accord Party.

Niger State has 15 governorship candidates on the published list, including incumbent Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of the APC, Suleiman Abubakar of the PDP, Ibrahim Aliyu Alhaji of the NNPP, Francis Aliyu of the Labour Party and Mohammed Kpautagi of the ADC.

In Gombe State, the published candidates include Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna of the APC, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami of the PDP, Bala Bello Tinka of the ADC, Lamela L. Silas of the APM and Sadiq Abubakar of the NDC.

However, the Gombe State INEC spokesperson, Mohorret Bigun, clarified that the document is not the final list. He said the final list is expected to be released in October, giving political parties and candidates an opportunity to make changes or withdraw candidates in accordance with the electoral timetable.

The publication also covers candidates contesting seats in various State Houses of Assembly across the country.

In Kwara State, supporters and members of political parties reportedly gathered at the INEC office along Western Reservoir Road in the Adewole area of Ilorin to inspect the displayed particulars and verify the names of their candidates.

In Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Alia was listed as the APC governorship candidate, while Prof. Terhemba Shija of the NDC and Herman Iorwase Hembe of the ADC were among other candidates published.

In Kaduna State, Governor Uba Sani was listed as the APC governorship candidate, while Isah Ashiru emerged as the ADC candidate.

INEC had initially scheduled the online publication of the names and personal particulars of governorship and State House of Assembly candidates between July 18 and August 8, 2026. The exercise was later extended to August 11 following appeals from political parties for additional time to complete their nomination processes.

The 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.

Campaigns for governorship and State Assembly candidates are expected to officially commence on September 9, 2026.