The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the names of 17 candidates and their political parties for the February 2027 Lagos State governorship election. This development sets the stage for a contest to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who will complete his second and final term on May 29, 2027. The list features the incumbent Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) flag bearer, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, is also on the list, alongside candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and 12 other political parties. Other notable candidates include Robert Otitoloju Sowore of the Accord Party and Kamarudeen Salawu of the Action Alliance. The list also features Oluwadamola Adesoga Sol-Nuyi of the African Action Congress and Bolaji Nasir Adewale of the Action Democratic Party.
A total of 17 candidates have been listed by INEC for the Lagos State governorship election. Some of the candidates on the list include Adeoye Adelaja of the Allied Peoples Movement and Abiola Adeyemi of the Action Peoples Party. Olurotimi Oluwapamilerui Odunaike of the Labour Party and Funso Doherty of the NDC are also on the list. The election is expected to be a major contest between the candidates of the major political parties.
The publication of the candidates' list marks another stage in preparations for the 2027 governorship election. With the candidates now listed, political parties are stepping up engagements with different segments of the electorate. This includes market men and women, socio-cultural groups, artisans, student union bodies, youth groups, and religious organisations, ahead of the poll.
Recently, candidates of the APC, ADC, NDC, and PDP participated in a youth engagement organised by The Platform, founded by Pastor Poju Oyemade. During the engagement, they fielded questions on their proposed policies and programmes for Lagos State. Hamzat, Laja Adeoye, and Rhodes-Vivour have also intensified their engagements with religious leaders as the parties seek to communicate their agendas to voters.
Governor Sanwo-Olu assumed office in 2019, succeeding Akinwunmi Ambode, who served one term. The governor will complete his second and final term on May 29, 2027. The upcoming election will determine his successor. The INEC list features a range of candidates from different political parties, all vying for the top position in Lagos State.
The candidates are expected to present their policies and programmes to the electorate in the coming weeks. The election is scheduled to take place in February 2027. The INEC list has been released, and the stage is set for a major contest for the Lagos State governorship.
Key points
- The INEC list features 17 candidates for the February 2027 Lagos State governorship election.
- The election will determine the successor of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who will complete his second and final term on May 29, 2027.
- The candidates are stepping up engagements with different segments of the electorate ahead of the poll.
