The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the personal particulars of candidates nominated by political parties for the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, putting prominent political figures formally in the race for power in several states.
The particulars, contained in Form EC9, were displayed at INEC offices across the country on Saturday, 29 August, as part of the commission’s preparations for the 6 February 2027 elections.
Among the prominent names on the governorship lists are Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, former Nasarawa State governorship candidate Emmanuel David Ombugadu and Ahmed Aliyu Wadada.
The publication is in accordance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which requires INEC to publish the particulars of nominated candidates within 21 days of receiving the relevant information from political parties.
The publication also gives political parties, candidates, and members of the public an opportunity to scrutinize the information submitted to the commission.
The 2027 governorship election is scheduled for 6 February 2027, and will be held in 28 states, while elections into the State Houses of Assembly will take place in all 36 states.
Nasarawa: Ombugadu, Wadada among 15 candidates
In Nasarawa State, INEC listed Ombugadu as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate.
He will face Ahmed Aliyu Wadada of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as candidates from 13 other political parties.
The list includes Musa Adamu Angbazo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP); Dahiru Musa Doma of the Action Peoples Party (APP); Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi of the Labour Party (LP); retired Major-General Nuhu Angbazo of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); Ibrahim Kasimu Aboh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); and Christopher Mamman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP).
Others are Abdullahi Omame Abisabo of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP); Abubakar Abdu Giza of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP); Mohammed Awwal Suleiman of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM); Abdullah Bukhari of the Action Alliance (AA); Kigbu John Tanko of the Young Progressives Party (YPP); Dogo Danladi Shammah of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC); and Shuaibu Umaru Kubi of the Accord Party.
The list contains 15 candidates, rather than the 14 stated in the earlier report. It also does not include former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, whose name was reportedly expected in connection with the Nasarawa contest.
Kwara Speaker gets APC ticket
In Kwara, the commission listed the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, as the APC governorship candidate.
Danladi-Salihu will contest alongside Bello Mubarak Salau as his running mate. He emerged as the APC candidate after winning the party’s governorship primary in May.
The PDP candidate is 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.
Also on the list are Abdulmunin Yinka Ajia of the NDC, Omotoso Bamidele Olaitan of the African Action Party (AAP), Kolo Ezekiel of the AA and Oluwole Tolu of the APM.
Additional names on the 12-candidate Kwara list include Decean Shola Victor Abioye of the National Democratic Party, Sule Ajayi of APGA, and Lamidi Isiaka Akanni of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Bago seeks second term in Niger
In Niger State, INEC published the particulars of 15 governorship candidates.
They include Ibrahim Aliyu Alhaji of the NNPP; Suleiman Abubakar of the PDP; Mohammed Adamu of APGA; Sani Alfa of the National Democratic Party; Francis Aliyu of the LP; Kolo Mohammed Aminu of the Zenith Labour Party; Bello Isah Mohammed of the APP; and Umar Larat Aliyu of the YPP.
Others are Usman Alhaji Abdullahi of the Accord Party; incumbent Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of the APC; Mohammed Kpautagi of the ADC; Adamu Ibrahim of the PRP; Tanko Haliru Musa Minna of the APM; Yerima Yakubu of the SDP; and Audu Mohammed of the African Action Congress (AAC).
Bago’s inclusion confirms his bid to retain the governorship of Niger State in the 2027 election.
Pantami enters Gombe race
In Gombe State, former minister Pantami is listed as the PDP governorship candidate.
He will contest against Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna of the APC, Bala Bello Tinka of the ADC, Lamela L. Silas of the APM and Sadiq Abubakar of the NDC.
However, the publication should not yet be regarded as the final candidate list. Gombe State INEC spokesman Mohorret Bigun said the current document contains candidates’ particulars, with the final list expected in October. Candidates and parties still have opportunities to make changes or withdraw candidates in accordance with the electoral timetable.
The publication marks another important stage in the countdown to the 2027 elections, with the governorship contests now taking clearer shape across the 28 states where voters will elect new governors or retain incumbents.
The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for 16 January 2027, ahead of the governorship and State House of Assembly elections on 6 February.
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