A Frontrunner Trio : Here Are the Profiles of All the Candidates
2027 will be election year in Nigeria. Nigerians will go to the polls for the presidential election, and preparations are already underway. The electoral commission has announced the final list of approved candidates. National and international opinion is focused on the contenders for the presidency in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Of Nigeria's 243 million people, 18 are vying for the presidency to succeed the current president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including himself. The process leading to this election, scheduled for January 16, 2027, is in motion. It is with this in mind that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final list of approved candidates. Bola Ahmed Tinubu and 17 challengers have had their applications validated by the body organizing the Nigerian presidential election. These candidates will have to fight hard to reach the presidency and address the major challenges ahead, such as the struggling economy, characterized by high inflation and a severe crisis in purchasing power. Similarly, a solution must be found to the chronic insecurity that has plunged citizens into a state of terror.
A formidable trio
The presidential election of January 16, 2027, in Nigeria risks plunging Nigerians back into the scenario of 2023. Among the 18 candidates approved by the electoral commission, three appear to be the frontrunners. Incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, running for re-election, is undoubtedly a favorite. He has the advantage of being in power and can leverage his experience and lobbying skills. The candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, cannot be overlooked. Tinubu's main challenger in 2023, Atiku Abubakar has returned to the fray, aiming to improve upon his performance in the previous election. Peter Obi completes the list of favorites. With the Labour Party behind him, he intends to play his cards right to unseat Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Two Women to Rule
Two women want to govern Nigeria, one of Africa's economic powerhouses. These women have decided to take on the role. Ada Elizabeth Frederick Okwori is a Nigerian politician and the official candidate of the National Democratic Party (NDP) for the 2027 Nigerian presidential election. She stands out as a prominent figure in this election, being one of only two women to lead a presidential ticket. Her party operates under the symbol of the lantern, which embodies truth, enlightenment, and political renewal. Her platform emphasizes good governance, national unity, the inclusion of youth and women, and infrastructure development.
In addition, Dr. Esther Nkem Okereke, well-known in her country as "Dr. NEO," is a Nigerian businesswoman, actress, philanthropist, and political figure. She made recent political history in Nigeria by becoming the first female presidential candidate nominated by the National Rescue Movement (NRM) for the 2027 general elections. A humanitarian and change-oriented candidate, she has pledged to focus on national reorientation, unity, patriotism, and harnessing the country's human and natural resources to make it a hub of development. She actively campaigns for greater representation of women in governance, describing them as driving forces and essential resources for the nation.
Determined Candidates
The remaining thirteen candidates are not necessarily here for sightseeing. Many of them have compelling arguments to make. List.
Sandy Ojang Onor, PDP (Peoples Democratic Party)
Sunday Chibuzo Okereke, LP (Labor Party)
Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, APM (Allied Peoples Movement)
Omoyele Sowore, AAC (African Action Congress)
Donald Duke, PRP (Peoples Redemption Party)
Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo, SDP (Social Democratic Party)
Rufai Adekunle Omo-Aje, AA (Action Alliance)
Abbas-Bin Aliyu, ADP (Action Democratic Party)
Yusuf Kabiru, APP (Action Peoples Party)
Sunday Adenuga, BP (Boot Party)
Moses Olusoji Adebisi, DLA (Democratic Labor Alliance)
Ada Elizabeth Fredrick Okwori, NDP (National Democratic Party)
Nkem Esther Okereke, NRM (National Rescue Movement)
Peter Ada Agada, YPP (Young Progressive Party)
Daniel Daberechukwu Nwanyanwu, ZLP (Zenith Labor Party)