The Independent National Electoral Commission is set to publish the names of candidates for the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
The publication comes as political parties complete preparations for the 2027 polls. It will allow candidates, parties and members of the public to review the names submitted to the commission. Governorship elections will take place in 28 states. Voters in all 36 states will also elect members of their respective Houses of Assembly.
The states that will elect governors are Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Kwara, Benue, Plateau, Niger and Nasarawa. Others are Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto.
With the publication date approaching, political parties are under pressure to conclude their nomination processes. They also need to resolve any outstanding issues involving their candidates. The publication will give voters a clearer picture of the candidates seeking to contest the governorship and State Assembly elections.
Presidential, National Assembly Lists To Follow
INEC will later publish the final list of candidates for the presidential and National Assembly elections. The commission has fixed September 12, 2026, for the publication of the list. It will cover candidates for the presidential, Senate and House of Representatives elections.
The latest deadline follows the August 22 deadline for candidates who wanted to withdraw from the 2027 elections. Section 31 of the Electoral Act 2026 provides a formal process for candidates who decide to withdraw. Such candidates must submit a written notice to the political party that nominated them.
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