As political activities gather momentum ahead of the January 16, 2027, general election, several political parties have concluded their presidential primaries or unveiled candidates for the race.
Of the 22 political parties registered with INEC, at least 11 have declared their presidential candidates as of May 31.
The list so far reveals a fragmented opposition with an incumbent seeking re-election.
Factions, particularly in the Peoples Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress and Social Democratic Party, highlight deep divisions that could influence the outcome of the race.
Here is a compilation of those who have declared or emerged as presidential candidates so far, in no particular order, along with brief notes on their political histories.
All Progressives Congress (APC) – Bola Tinubu
Tinubu, the incumbent president since 2023, has secured the APC ticket for a second term.
He served as governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.
Often described as a national leader of the APC, Tinubu played a key role in the party’s formation and in the victory of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
Wike-backed PDP – Sandy Onor
Senator Sandy Onor represents a faction of PDP backed by former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.
Onor served as the senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District from 2019 to 2023.
He was also a former governorship candidate in Cross River State.
Turaki-backed PDP – Goodluck Jonathan
Former President Goodluck Jonathan (2010–2015) has been named in absentia by another PDP faction led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.
Jonathan, who rose from Bayelsa State governor to vice president and later president following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, is known for overseeing the 2015 transition of power.
He has not publicly commented extensively on the latest development.
David Mark-led ADC faction – Atiku Abubakar
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (1999–2007) emerged as the presidential candidate of one faction of the ADC.
He is a long-time PDP stalwart and multiple-time presidential contender, including in the 2019 and 2023 elections.
Kachikwu ADC faction – Dumebi Kachikwu
Dumebi Kachikwu leads another faction of the ADC.
Kachikwu gained national political prominence after emerging as the ADC presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.
He is the younger brother of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu.
Gombe ADC faction – Chris Uba
The party’s factional National Chairman, Bala Gombe, announced Prof. Chief Chris Uba, as the party’s sole presidential candidate.
African Action Congress (AAC) – Omoyele Sowore
Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist, journalist and founder of Sahara Reporters, represents the AAC.
He is a two-time presidential candidate of the party.
Social Democratic Party (SDP) – Adewole Adebayo
Adewole Adebayo has secured the SDP ticket.
A lawyer and businessman, he previously contested for president under the party.
Shehu Gabam-led SDP – Abimbola Akeem Atanda
Abimbola Akeem Atanda represents another SDP faction led by Shehu Gabam.
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) – Peter Obi
Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State from 2006 to 2014, has emerged as the NDC presidential candidate after defecting from the Labour Party.
He has named former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate.
Allied Peoples Movement (APM) – Seyi Makinde
Makinde is the current governor of Oyo State.
Action Democratic Party (ADP) – Aliyu Bin Abbas
Aliyu Bin Abbas is a former political aide to Atiku Abubakar.
Labour Party (LP) – Dr Chibuzo Okereke
Chibuzo Okereke, described as an LP stalwart, is a governance expert, policy strategist and reform advocate.
He serves as a legislative consultant to key committees and ranking members of the National Assembly.
He is also a resident lecturer in the Department of Public Policy and Administration at Miva Open University, Abuja.
Accord – Olawepo-Hashim
Accord Party announced businessman and politician Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as its presidential candidate on Sunday, May 31.
Olawepo-Hashim is a former student activist and businessman who has remained active in Nigeria’s political space for decades.
He previously contested the presidential election in 2019 on the platform of the People’s Trust.
People’s Redemption Party (PRP) – Donald Duke
Duke is a former governor of Cross River State who served from 1999 to 2007.
As political activities gather momentum ahead of the January 16, 2027, general election, several political parties have concluded their presidential primaries or unveiled candidates for the race.
Of the 22 political parties registered with INEC, at least 11 have declared their presidential candidates as of May 31.
The list so far reveals a fragmented opposition with an incumbent seeking re-election.
Factions, particularly in the Peoples Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress and Social Democratic Party, highlight deep divisions that could influence the outcome of the race.
Here is a compilation of those who have declared or emerged as presidential candidates so far, in no particular order, along with brief notes on their political histories.
All Progressives Congress (APC) – Bola Tinubu
Tinubu, the incumbent president since 2023, has secured the APC ticket for a second term.
He served as governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.
Often described as a national leader of the APC, Tinubu played a key role in the party’s formation and in the victory of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
Wike-backed PDP – Sandy Onor
Senator Sandy Onor represents a faction of PDP backed by former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.
Onor served as the senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District from 2019 to 2023.
He was also a former governorship candidate in Cross River State.
Turaki-backed PDP – Goodluck Jonathan
Former President Goodluck Jonathan (2010–2015) has been named in absentia by another PDP faction led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.
Jonathan, who rose from Bayelsa State governor to vice president and later president following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, is known for overseeing the 2015 transition of power.
He has not publicly commented extensively on the latest development.
David Mark-led ADC faction – Atiku Abubakar
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (1999–2007) emerged as the presidential candidate of one faction of the ADC.
He is a long-time PDP stalwart and multiple-time presidential contender, including in the 2019 and 2023 elections.
Kachikwu ADC faction – Dumebi Kachikwu
Dumebi Kachikwu leads another faction of the ADC.
Kachikwu gained national political prominence after emerging as the ADC presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.
He is the younger brother of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu.
Gombe ADC faction – Chris Uba
The party’s factional National Chairman, Bala Gombe, announced Prof. Chief Chris Uba, as the party’s sole presidential candidate.
African Action Congress (AAC) – Omoyele Sowore
Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist, journalist and founder of Sahara Reporters, represents the AAC.
He is a two-time presidential candidate of the party.
Social Democratic Party (SDP) – Adewole Adebayo
Adewole Adebayo has secured the SDP ticket.
A lawyer and businessman, he previously contested for president under the party.
Shehu Gabam-led SDP – Abimbola Akeem Atanda
Abimbola Akeem Atanda represents another SDP faction led by Shehu Gabam.
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) – Peter Obi
Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State from 2006 to 2014, has emerged as the NDC presidential candidate after defecting from the Labour Party.
He has named former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate.
Allied Peoples Movement (APM) – Seyi Makinde
Makinde is the current governor of Oyo State.
Action Democratic Party (ADP) – Aliyu Bin Abbas
Aliyu Bin Abbas is a former political aide to Atiku Abubakar.
Labour Party (LP) – Dr Chibuzo Okereke
Chibuzo Okereke, described as an LP stalwart, is a governance expert, policy strategist and reform advocate.
He serves as a legislative consultant to key committees and ranking members of the National Assembly.
He is also a resident lecturer in the Department of Public Policy and Administration at Miva Open University, Abuja.
Accord – Olawepo-Hashim
Accord Party announced businessman and politician Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as its presidential candidate on Sunday, May 31.
Olawepo-Hashim is a former student activist and businessman who has remained active in Nigeria’s political space for decades.
He previously contested the presidential election in 2019 on the platform of the People’s Trust.
People’s Redemption Party (PRP) – Donald Duke
Duke is a former governor of Cross River State who served from 1999 to 2007.
