Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared more than 4,400 candidates to contest seats in the country’s parliament, as campaign preparations gain momentum ahead of the general elections set for January 2027.
An official breakdown published by the electoral body shows that 4,408 candidates will stand for election to the two chambers of the National Assembly. Of these, 1,195 politicians are vying for seats in the upper chamber, the Senate, while 3,213 are competing for the House of Representatives.
The figures highlight a persistent gender disparity in Nigerian politics, with male candidates overwhelmingly dominating the lists. Just 10% of the total cleared parliamentary candidates—443 women—are running for office. Female representation stands at 115 candidates for the Senate and 328 for the lower house. The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) registered the highest proportion of female contenders, nominating 11 for the Senate and 42 for the House of Representatives.
The release comes as INEC finalised the official candidate rosters for both national legislative and presidential contests. Under the official timetable, the presidential and National Assembly votes will take place on 16 January 2027, followed by governorship and state assembly elections on 6 February 2027.
In a separate document signed by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the commission formally verified 18 presidential candidates alongside their running mates across political parties.
Incumbent President Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is among those cleared to run. High-profile challengers include former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar representing the African Democratic Congress (ADC), former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and Oyo State Governor Oluseyi Makinde contesting on the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) ticket. Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke is also contesting for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), while Sandy Ojang Onor represents the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Only two women are standing as presidential candidates: Ada Elizabeth Frederick Okwori of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and Nkem Esther Okereke of the National Rescue Movement (NRM).
The candidate pool also features prominent civil society activist Omoyele Sowore for the African Action Congress (AAC), alongside representatives from various other political movements including the Labour Party, Social Democratic Party, and Young Progressives Party.
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