The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has published the final list of presidential candidates and their running mates for the January 16, 2027 general elections, formally setting the stage for a crowded presidential contest.

The list, signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, and released in Abuja on Saturday, features 18 presidential candidates sponsored by different political parties.

President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, are among the major contenders on the final list.

Tinubu, 74, will seek a second term with Vice President Kashim Shettima, 59, as his running mate.

Atiku, 79, is contesting again on the ADC platform, with former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, 61, as his running mate.

Other presidential candidates include Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party, SDP; Seyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM; Donald Duke of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP; Sunday Okereke of the Labour Party, LP; Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress, AAC; Sandy Ojang Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Rufai Omo-Aje of the Action Alliance, AA; and Aliyu Abbas-Bin of the Action Democratic Party, ADP.

The list also includes Kabiru Yusuf of the Allied Peoples Party, APP; Sunday Adenuga of the Boot Party, BP; Moses Adebisi of the Democratic Leadership Alliance, DLA; Nkem Esther Okereke of the National Rescue Movement, NRM; Daniel Nwanyanwu of the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP; Peter Agada of the Young Progressives Party, YPP; and Ada Elizabeth Fredrick Okwori of the National Democratic Party, NDP.

There are two female presidential candidates among the 18 candidates, while four women are listed as vice-presidential candidates.

The female running mates are Peace Egobia Ofordile of the APP, Nafisat Usaku Abubakar of the DLA, Hajja Bintu Konto of the LP and Patience Ndidi Key of the YPP.

The candidates are aged between 35 and 80, with their listed qualifications ranging from First School Leaving Certificate, WAEC and NABTEB certificates to university degrees, including doctorate qualifications.

None of the presidential candidates or their running mates declared any form of disability in the final list.

4,864 candidates battle for 469 National Assembly seats

While the presidential contest has been narrowed to 18 candidates, the National Assembly race is significantly more crowded.

INEC listed 4,864 candidates for the 469 available seats in the Senate and House of Representatives.

The figure comprises 1,304 candidates contesting 109 Senate seats and 3,560 candidates competing for 360 House of Representatives seats.

Among those seeking election are Senate President Godswill Akpabio, his deputy Barau Jibrin, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.

Other principal officers listed include Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Senate Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Deputy Chief Whip Onyekachi Nwaebonyi and Deputy House Leader Abdullahi Ali.

The list also shows that about 190 serving members of the House of Representatives and 54 senators are seeking re-election on the APC platform.

However, several serving lawmakers and principal officers will not return to the National Assembly after the 2027 election.