INEC Releases 2027 Kwara Governorship List as 13 Parties Name Candidates, Running Mates
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the list of governorship candidates and their running mates for the 2027 Kwara State governorship election, setting the stage for a multi-party contest ahead of the poll.
The list shows that 13 political parties have presented candidates for the governorship race, with the major contenders including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Under the APC, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi Salihu is listed as the governorship candidate, with Bello Mubarak Salau as his running mate.
The PDP is fielding Kawu Sulaiman Bolakale, who will contest alongside Fawenu Corlenius Sunday as his running mate.
The SDP has Apaokagi Ridwan Salahudeen as its governorship candidate and Kolawole Funsho Thawphic as running mate, while the NNPP is represented by Lamidi Isiaka Akanni, with Grace Abosede Ogundele as running mate.
Other candidates on the INEC list are Adeshina Ajisafe and Suleiman Jubri for the Action Democratic Party (ADP); Seko Jubril Gure and Michael Oyeniyi Jolayemi for the Accord Party; and Abdulmunin Yinka Ajia and Olayide Olawuyi for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The Action Peoples Party (APP) is fielding Omotoso Bamidele Olaitan, with Aremu Toyin Wahab as running mate, while the Action Alliance (AA) has Kolo Ezekiel as candidate and Olanipekun Ismail Olabode as running mate.
For the Action Peoples Movement (APM), Oluwole Tolu is the governorship candidate, with Jaiyeola Motunrayo as running mate. The National Democratic Party (NDP) is represented by Decean Shola Victor Abioye and Issa Salihu.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) will contest the election with Sule Ajayi as governorship candidate and Afolabi Moses Folorunsho as running mate.
The release of the candidates’ list effectively moves the 2027 Kwara governorship contest into another phase, with the parties and their standard-bearers expected to intensify mobilisation, campaigns and engagement with voters across the state.
With the APC and PDP presenting their respective candidates, political observers will be watching closely as the two leading parties and other contenders begin efforts to consolidate their support bases ahead of the election.
The 2027 contest is expected to generate significant political activity across Kwara as the candidates seek to convince voters on their programmes, leadership records and plans for the state’s future.
