INEC has released the final list of 18 presidential candidates for the January 16, 2027 election, alongside their running mates.
The list includes President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), and Oyo State Governor Oluseyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Other candidates include Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC), Sandy Ojang Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Donald Duke of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Sunday Chibuzo Okereke of the Labour Party (LP).
The publication of the final list gives voters a clearer picture of the presidential field. It also highlights the challenge facing opposition politicians whose major figures are now contesting under different parties and with separate campaign structures.
Atiku is running on the ADC platform with former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate, while Obi is listed as the NDC candidate with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate. Tinubu is seeking another term on the APC ticket alongside Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
The formalisation of the tickets does not, however, prevent political parties and candidates from engaging in further discussions over cooperation. Any such arrangement would have to contend with existing party structures, campaign organisations, fundraising networks and competing political interests.
The development comes as opposition parties and politicians continue to navigate questions around whether cooperation can translate into a coordinated electoral structure rather than remain limited to political discussions or public declarations.
For any alliance to move beyond symbolism, the parties involved would have to address practical issues, including campaign coordination, voter mobilisation, funding, messaging and the management of competing interests across the country.
The final list therefore marks an important stage in the 2027 election process, but it does not settle the broader political negotiations that could shape how the contest develops before voting day.
With 18 presidential tickets now formally recognised by INEC, the focus is expected to shift increasingly toward campaigns, voter mobilisation and the possibility of cooperation among candidates and parties seeking to challenge the incumbent administration.
