The Independent National Electoral Commission has published the names and personal details of candidates contesting the 2027 governorship elections, formally moving the electoral process into another critical phase ahead of next year’s polls.
The particulars were contained in Form EC9 and displayed at INEC offices across the states on Saturday, giving voters access to information on the candidates and their running mates.
The publication includes details such as the candidates’ ages, educational qualifications and other personal information submitted to the electoral commission by their respective political parties.
Major political parties, including the All Progressives Congress, African Democratic Congress, Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peoples Democratic Party and Allied Peoples Movement, feature prominently among the candidates published by the commission.
The release is significant because it provides greater clarity on the contenders who will appear on the ballot across the states, following months of party primaries, internal disputes and the submission of nomination documents.
In several states, the 2027 governorship contests are already shaping up as competitive races involving incumbent governors, former public officials and candidates seeking to unseat ruling parties.
In Lagos, for instance, 17 candidates have been listed, including the APC’s Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, and the ADC’s Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour. Kaduna also has 18 candidates, including incumbent Governor Uba Sani, while 19 candidates are listed for Rivers State.
The number of candidates varies considerably from state to state. Bauchi has 19 candidates, while Delta has 16 and Kwara has 12. Ogun has 13 political parties fielding governorship candidates, according to the published information.
The exercise also gives political parties and candidates an opportunity to scrutinise the information published by INEC and pursue any legitimate objections through the channels provided under the electoral framework.
The publication comes as the commission continues preparations for the 2027 general elections under a revised timetable introduced following the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026.
Under INEC’s schedule, campaigns for governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled to commence on September 9, 2026. The governorship and State Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
The presidential and National Assembly elections will precede the state-level polls, with those elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The publication of the governorship candidates therefore marks the beginning of a period in which political campaigns are expected to become more visible, with candidates seeking to build alliances, mobilise supporters and convince voters ahead of the polls.
INEC has also indicated that sensitive electoral materials, including ballot papers and result sheets, will be printed locally as part of preparations for the elections.
With the candidates now formally identified, attention is expected to shift towards the campaign season, issue-based debates, party mobilisation and the ability of the electoral commission and security agencies to ensure a credible and peaceful electoral process.