POLITICS
Who Wants to Be Nigeria’s Next President? Meet the Candidates and Their Running Mates
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Nineteen presidential candidates and their running mates have formally entered the race for Aso Rock, setting the stage for one of Nigeria’s most fiercely contested presidential elections since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
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President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are seeking a second term on the APC platform, while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has teamed up with Rotimi Amaechi under the ADC, and Peter Obi is running alongside Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso on the NDC ticket.
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Beyond the three leading contenders, 16 other presidential tickets featuring former governors, lawmakers, activists, technocrats and emerging political figures are offering Nigerians a broad range of leadership choices.
Ahead of the commencement of nationwide campaigns, presents the list of presidential candidates and their running mates to help Nigerians become familiar with those seeking the country’s highest office.
August 6, () — Nigeria’s race to the Presidency has entered a defining phase as 19 presidential candidates and their running mates prepare to battle for the nation’s highest office in what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive elections since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
The contest brings together an incumbent President seeking re-election, a former Vice President, former governors, lawmakers, activists, technocrats and first-time presidential hopefuls, each presenting competing visions for addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges, insecurity, unemployment, constitutional reforms, governance deficits and national development.
While campaign activities are expected to intensify in the coming months, presents the presidential tickets that have emerged for the election, providing readers with an overview of the candidates and their running mates.
Tinubu, Shettima Seek Continuity
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will lead the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) into the 2027 presidential election, retaining Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
Tinubu, born on March 29, 1952, declared a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University, obtained in 1979. He also indicated that he completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) between December 1982 and November 1983.
Shettima attended Lamisula I Primary School before obtaining his West African School Certificate from Government Secondary School, Potiskum. He later earned a Second Class Upper degree in Agriculture from the University of Maiduguri and a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan.
The APC ticket is campaigning on continuity, arguing that another four-year mandate would consolidate ongoing economic reforms, tax restructuring, infrastructure development, security initiatives and governance reforms introduced during the administration’s first term.
Atiku, Amaechi Present Experienced Alternative
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will contest on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
Atiku declared his First School Leaving Certificate, West African School Certificate and a Master’s degree in International Relations obtained from Anglia Ruskin University in 2020.
Amaechi attended St. Theresa’s Primary School before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Studies and Literature from the University of Port Harcourt.
He subsequently obtained legal qualifications from Baze University and the Nigerian Law School, while also pursuing further studies at King’s College London.
The Atiku-Amaechi alliance combines decades of executive experience at both federal and state levels and is expected to mount one of the strongest challenges to the ruling APC.
Obi, Kwankwaso Forge Strategic Alliance
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi heads the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ticket alongside former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Obi attended St. Augustine’s Primary School before proceeding to Christ the King College, where he obtained his West African School Certificate. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Kwankwaso obtained a Higher Diploma in Civil Engineering (Water Resources) from Kaduna Polytechnic with Upper Credit and completed the National Youth Service Corps between August 1980 and July 1981.
Their alliance is regarded as one of the most significant political realignments ahead of the election, combining Obi’s influence across southern Nigeria with Kwankwaso’s formidable political structure in the North.
Other Presidential Tickets
Beyond the three dominant contenders, 16 other presidential tickets have also joined the race, presenting themselves as credible alternatives.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has nominated Senator Sandy Onor as its presidential candidate, with Umaru Babangida as his running mate.
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore will fly the flag of the African Action Congress (AAC) alongside Magashi Haruna Garba.
Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke is contesting on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) with Buba Musa as his running mate.
Other presidential tickets include:
National Democratic Party (NDP): Okwori Ada Elizabeth Frederick / Chikwuemeka Uchenna Anthony
Young Progressives Party (YPP): Chukwu Anita Zugwai / Egbeola Olawale Mertins
Action Alliance (AA): Rufai Adekunle Omoaje / Shehu Hussaini
Boot Party (BP): Adenuga Sunday / Mustapha Usman Turaki
Democratic Liberty Alliance (DLA): Memeh Samuel / Balogun Alex
Zenith Labour Party (ZLP): Nwanyanwu Daniel Danerechukwu / Hassan Khalid
Labour Party (LP): Okereke Sunday Chibuzor / Konto Hajja Bintu
National Rescue Movement (NRM): Okereke Iken Esther / Samuel Magdalene Gali
Action Democratic Party (ADP): Abbas-Bin Aliyu / Ike Chinazam
New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP): Dikwa Suleiman Mohammed / Abubakar Isah
Social Democratic Party (SDP): Adewole Adebayo / Bugaje Usman Mohammed
Allied Peoples Movement (APM): Seyi Makinde / Ibrahim Adamu Bala
Action Peoples Party (APP): Yusuf Kabiru / Ofordile Peace Egobia
Collectively, the 19 presidential tickets represent nearly every strand of Nigeria’s political spectrum, offering voters a broad range of ideological, regional and governance choices ahead of the 2027 polls.
Why Running Mates Matter
Nigeria’s vice-presidential candidates are far more than ceremonial deputies. Political parties often select them to reinforce electoral strength, broaden regional and religious appeal, deepen governance credentials and reassure voters about succession should the need arise.
Several of the running mates are former governors, ministers, legislators, academics and seasoned public administrators whose experience is expected to feature prominently throughout the campaigns.
Political analysts believe the quality of the vice-presidential candidates could prove decisive in key battleground states, particularly in an election where every vote is expected to count.
Issues Likely to Shape the Campaign
As political parties formally commence campaigns, Nigerians are expected to closely scrutinise each presidential ticket’s plans for:
Economic recovery and inflation management, Security and the fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, Job creation and youth empowerment, Education and healthcare reforms, Infrastructure development, Constitutional and electoral reforms, Anti-corruption initiatives as well as Fiscal sustainability and governance
These issues are expected to dominate debates and campaign engagements as candidates seek to convince voters that they possess the leadership capacity to steer Africa’s largest democracy through its next phase of political and economic development.
The Road to Aso Rock
The 2027 presidential election will be more than a contest for political power. It will determine the leadership team that will guide Nigeria through the next four years at a time of significant economic, security and governance challenges.
Whether Nigerians opt for continuity under the Tinubu-Shettima ticket, an opposition government led by Atiku and Amaechi, the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance, or one of the 16 other presidential tickets, the election is already shaping up to be one of the defining democratic contests in the country’s contemporary political history.
For millions of Nigerians, the decision will extend beyond choosing a President. It will be a choice about the direction of the nation’s democracy, economy and future.
