INEC PUBLISHES 2027 GOVERNORSHIP LIST AS BAGO, PANTAMI JOIN RACE

The Independent National Electoral Commission has published the personal particulars of candidates nominated by political parties for the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, officially putting several prominent political figures in the race.

The publication, released on Saturday, includes notable names such as Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, as well as Nasarawa politicians Ahmed Aliyu Wadada and Emmanuel David Ombugadu.

INEC said the publication was carried out in line with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which requires the commission to publish the personal details of nominated candidates within 21 days of receiving the relevant information from political parties.

In Nasarawa State, the commission listed Ombugadu as the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate among 14 candidates whose particulars were published.

Ombugadu, who has remained a prominent figure in Nasarawa politics, will contest under the PDP, while the All Progressives Congress is represented by Ahmed Aliyu Wadada.

Other candidates listed in Nasarawa include Musa Adamu Angbazo of the Social Democratic Party, Dahiru Musa Doma of the Action Peoples Party, Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi of the Labour Party and Angbazo of the African Democratic Congress.

The list also contains Ibrahim Kasimu Aboh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Christopher Mamman of the Action Democratic Party, Abdullahi Omame Abisabo of the Peoples Redemption Party and several other candidates representing different political parties.

In Kwara State, INEC listed the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, as the APC governorship candidate.

The PDP's candidate is Sulaiman Bolakale Kawu, while Ridwan Apaokagi is contesting on the platform of the SDP. Other candidates include Adeshina Ajisafe of the ADP, Seko Jubril Gure of the Accord Party and Abdulmunin Yinka Ajia of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

The commission also listed Omotoso Bamidele Olaitan of the African Action Party, Kolo Ezekiel of the Action Alliance and Oluwole Tolu of the Allied Peoples Movement.

In Niger State, INEC published the particulars of 15 governorship candidates nominated by various political parties.

Among those listed are Ibrahim Aliyu Alhaji of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Suleiman Abubakar of the PDP, Mohammed Adamu of the APGA, Sani Alfa of the National Democratic Party, Francis Aliyu of the Labour Party, Kolo Mohammed Aminu of the Zenith Labour Party, Bello Isah Mohammed of the APP and Umar Larat Aliyu of the Young Progressives Party.

The inclusion of Governor Umaru Bago and former minister Pantami among the political figures associated with the 2027 governorship race adds further significance to the emerging electoral contests.

The publication also provides voters and political stakeholders with an official record of candidates submitted by the various political parties, ahead of the 2027 elections.

With the nomination process now reflected in INEC's published particulars, political parties and their candidates are expected to intensify mobilisation and preparations as the election approaches.

The commission's publication marks another important stage in the preparations for the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.