INEC Releases Lagos Governorship List As Hamzat, Rhodes-Vivour, 15 Others Prepare For 2027 Showdown

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially named 17 candidates who will contest the Lagos State governorship election in February 2027, bringing the race to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu into sharper focus.

According to a report by Nigerian Tribune on October 11, 2026, the list features Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, who is representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Funso Doherty of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Adedeji Doherty of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are also among the candidates cleared for the contest.

The election will determine who takes over the leadership of Lagos State when Sanwo-Olu completes his second term on May 29, 2027; The governor assumed office in 2019 after succeeding Akinwunmi Ambode.

Other candidates included in the list are Robert Otitoloju Sowore of the Accord Party, Kamarudeen Salawu of the Action Alliance, Oluwadamola Adesoga Sol-Nuyi of the African Action Congress and Bolaji Nasir Adewale of the Action Democratic Party.

INEC also listed Adeoye Adelaja of the Allied Peoples Movement, Abiola Adeyemi of the Action Peoples Party and Olurotimi Oluwapamilerui Odunaike of the Labour Party.

The remaining candidates are Akinola Obadia of the National Democratic Party, Taiwo Onifade Ademoyegun of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Joseph Adeola Onigbokun of the National Rescue Movement, Olaniyi Olufemi of the Social Democratic Party, Elijah Temiyope Taiwo of the Young Progressives Party and Peter Helen Ojotule of the Zenith Labour Party.

Following the publication of the list, the candidates are expected to intensify efforts to secure public support as political activities gather momentum ahead of the poll.

Their campaigns are targeting different groups across the state, including traders, artisans, students, youth organisations, religious leaders and socio-cultural associations.

Some of the leading contenders have already participated in public engagements to explain their policy proposals and discuss issues affecting Lagos residents.

Candidates representing the APC, ADC, NDC and PDP recently attended a youth engagement organised by The Platform, an initiative founded by Pastor Poju Oyemade; At the event, they answered questions about their proposed programmes and priorities for the state.

Hamzat, Rhodes-Vivour and Laja Adeoye have also increased their interactions with religious leaders as they seek to communicate their political agendas to different sections of the electorate.

The publication of the 17-man list signals a fresh phase in the preparations for the Lagos governorship election, with candidates from established and smaller political parties set to compete for the state’s top executive position.