The candidates for Nigeria 2027
Every presidential nominee, running mate, and platform — laid out clean.
In February 2026, INEC published a revised timetable under the new Electoral Act 2026, briefly moving the dates to Jan 16, 2027 and Feb 6, 2027. That revision has been contested, and the dates above remain the operative schedule pending the outcome of INEC's pending appeals and any further court rulings. If you cross-check against an INEC press release showing different dates, that schedule may still be under appeal — we'll update here when the legal position is settled.
Presidential Race
The four major-party nominees competing for Aso Rock on January 16, 2027
Bola Ahmed Tinubu Incumbent
Incumbent President of Nigeria, sworn in May 29, 2023. A two-term Governor of Lagos State (1999–2007), former Senator, and architect of the APC merger that unseated PDP in 2015. APGA, led by Anambra Governor Charles Soludo, has formally adopted his candidacy — mirroring APGA's 2011 adoption of Goodluck Jonathan. Re-election campaign centers on the "Renewed Hope" agenda: subsidy removal, FX market unification, tax reform.
- Continuation of Renewed Hope economic reforms
- Industrial-policy push: refineries, agriculture, manufacturing
- Security architecture overhaul (state policing)
- Tax-base widening, fiscal federalism
- Senator, Lagos West (1992–1993)
- Governor of Lagos State (1999–2007)
- APC National Leader (2013–2023)
- President of Nigeria (2023–present)
Atiku Abubakar
Four-time presidential candidate and former Vice President (1999–2007). Left PDP for ADC in early 2026 after years of factional battles. His bid is now threatened by a June 2026 Federal High Court ruling ordering INEC to deregister the ADC — a decision Atiku is appealing, calling it "judicial rascality." Court of Appeal hearing set for October 27, 2026. Campaign theme: restructuring and private-sector-led growth.
- Restructuring: true fiscal federalism, state policing
- Sale of public assets, private-sector-led growth
- Education reform (Atiku Plan)
- North-East reconstruction; Lake Chad development
- Customs Director (1969–1989)
- Vice President of Nigeria (1999–2007)
- Presidential candidate: 2007, 2019, 2023
Peter Obi
Former Governor of Anambra State (2006–2014) and businessman; co-founder of Fidelity Bank. 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate who placed third nationally but won Lagos, Abuja FCT, and the South-East. Joined NDC in May 2026 after a brief ADC stint. Built reputation on frugal governance and data-driven public spending. Campaign promises moving "Nigeria from consumption to production."
- Move from consumption to production
- Cut governance costs by 50%, redirect to capex
- Free primary + secondary education
- Aggressive infrastructure PPPs
- Governor of Anambra State (2006–2014)
- 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate (3rd place, 6.1M votes)
- Member, PDP National Economic Council (2014–2019)
Goodluck Jonathan
Former President of Nigeria (2010–2015), Vice President (2007–2010), and Governor of Bayelsa State. Affirmed by the Tanimu Turaki-led PDP faction on May 30, 2026, after the Wike-aligned faction had earlier named Senator Sandy Onor as their consensus candidate (later reversed). The PDP's two-faction split — Wike (FCT Minister) vs Makinde (now in APM) — continues to cloud the party's 2027 footing.
- National unity and reconciliation
- Niger Delta development continuity
- Power sector privatization completion
- ECOWAS diplomatic re-engagement
- Deputy Governor, Bayelsa State (1999–2005)
- Governor, Bayelsa State (2005–2007)
- Vice President of Nigeria (2007–2010)
- President of Nigeria (2010–2015)
Quick Compare
Side-by-side at a glance
Bola Tinubu
Atiku Abubakar
Peter Obi
Goodluck Jonathan
Other Declared Candidates
Smaller-party nominees — additional candidates may be added when nomination forms close (July 11, 2026)