Former President Goodluck Jonathan and several prominent politicians are missing from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list of candidates for the 2027 general election.
The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had claimed that it submitted Jonathan as its presidential candidate. However, INEC’s final list does not include his name among the presidential candidates.
Delta North Senator Ned Nwoko also failed to secure a place on the ballot after losing the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary. Former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa emerged as the APC candidate for Delta North.
INEC also left out former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, who represents Ogun East in the Senate.
In Gombe State, former Governor Danjuma Goje lost the APC ticket for Gombe Central to retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohammed Ahmed. Meanwhile, former Gombe Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo secured the PDP ticket for Gombe North, while Senator Anthony Siyako won the PDP nomination for Gombe South.
Bauchi State has two more familiar names missing from the list. Senator Shehu Buba left the APC for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), secured its governorship ticket and will not seek another Senate term. House of Representatives member Mansur Soro also decided against contesting the Bauchi Central Senate seat or another term in the House.
The APC had reviewed several complaints after its primary elections and restored six serving senators. The reinstated lawmakers were Sunday Karimi, Emmanuel Udende, Titus Zam, Shuaibu Isa Lau, Adeniyi Adegbonmire and Olajide Ipinsagba.
The party also replaced Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu with Prince Paul Ikonne as its Abia South senatorial candidate.
In Benue State, the APC overturned former governor Gabriel Suswam’s earlier primary victory and restored Senator Emmanuel Udende as its candidate.
INEC’s release settles the names that will appear on the ballot for the 2027 general election.
