2027 presidential candidates and their parties

By Chioma Eze· 31 May 2026(updated 1h ago)· 3 min read· 👁 0 views

As the January 16, 2027, general election approaches, political activities are heating up. Many political parties have either finished their presidential primaries or announced their candidates for the election.

Out of the 22 political parties registered with INEC, at least 11 have announced their presidential candidates as of May 31.

The current list shows a divided opposition while the incumbent seeks re-election.

There are factions, especially in the Peoples Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, and Social Democratic Party, which show deep divisions that may affect the election outcome.

Here is a list of those who have declared or emerged as presidential candidates so far, in no particular order, along with some information about their political backgrounds.

All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu

Bola Tinubu is the current president since 2023. He has secured the APC ticket for a second term.

He was the governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007. Tinubu is often seen as a key figure in APC, helping to form the party and supporting former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

Wike-backed PDP, Sandy Onor

Senator Sandy Onor is part of a faction of the PDP that is supported by former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.

Onor was the senator for Cross River Central Senatorial District from 2019 to 2023. He also ran for governor in Cross River State before.

Turaki-backed PDP, Goodluck Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who served from 2010 to 2015, has been named by another PDP faction led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.

Jonathan, who started as governor of Bayelsa State, later became vice president and then president after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He is known for managing the 2015 transition of power. He has not spoken much about this recent development.

David Mark-led ADC faction, Atiku Abubakar

Atiku Abubakar, who was Vice President from 1999 to 2007, is the presidential candidate for one faction of the ADC.

He has been a long-time member of the PDP and has run for president multiple times, including in the 2019 and 2023 elections.

Kachikwu ADC faction, Dumebi Kachikwu

Dumebi Kachikwu leads another faction of the ADC. He became well-known after being the ADC presidential candidate in the 2023 election.

He is the younger brother of Ibe Kachikwu, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.

Gombe ADC faction, Chris Uba

The faction’s National Chairman, Bala Gombe, announced Prof. Chief Chris Uba as the party’s sole presidential candidate.

African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore

Omoyele Sowore is a human rights activist, journalist, and founder of Sahara Reporters, representing the AAC.

He has run for president twice under this party.

Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo

Adewole Adebayo has won the SDP ticket. He is a lawyer and businessman, and he previously ran for president with the party.

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi

Peter Obi, who was governor of Anambra State from 2006 to 2014, is now the NDC presidential candidate after leaving the Labour Party.

He has chosen former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate.

Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde

Seyi Makinde is the current governor of Oyo State.

Action Democratic Party (ADP), Aliyu Bin Abbas

Aliyu Bin Abbas has worked as a political aide to Atiku Abubakar in the past.

Labour Party (LP), Dr Chibuzo Okereke

Dr Chibuzo Okereke is known as an LP supporter and is an expert in governance and policy. He advises important committees in the National Assembly.

He also teaches at Miva Open University in Abuja.

Accord, Olawepo-Hashim

The Accord Party announced Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as its presidential candidate on May 31.

Olawepo-Hashim is a businessman and former student activist who has been active in Nigerian politics for many years. He also ran for president in 2019 with the People’s Trust.