The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of 16 governorship candidates for the 2027 Oyo State governorship election, setting the stage for a multi-party contest to succeed Governor Seyi Makinde.
The list, released on Saturday, October 10, 2026, features candidates representing 16 political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Accord Party.
Among the major contenders are Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli of the APC, Abimbola Adekanmbi of the APM and Abdulrahman Oriyomi Hamzat of the Accord Party.
Other candidates include Taofeek Adegboyega Adegoke of the ADC, Hazeem Ola Gbolarumi of the PDP and Akim Adebola Yusuf of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The complete list of candidates and their parties, as shown in the INEC document, is as follows:
- Abdulrahman Oriyomi Hamzat — Accord Party (A)
- Saheed Oladele — African Action Congress (AAC)
- Taofeek Adegboyega Adegoke — African Democratic Congress (ADC)
- Kunle James Olatunji — Action Democratic Party (ADP)
- Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli — All Progressives Congress (APC)
- Gbolagade Tajudeen Salami — All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
- Abimbola Adekanmbi — Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM)
- Ismaila Akinboye Tijani — Action Peoples Party (APP)
- Thompson Sola Kareem — Labour Party (LP)
- Akim Adebola Yusuf — Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)
- Ibiyemi Otegbeye Taiwo — National Democratic Party (NDP)
- Taofeek Ademola Afolabi — National Rescue Movement (NRM)
- Hazeem Ola Gbolarumi — Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
- Kazeem Ayandoye Yinusa — People’s Redemption Party (PRP)
- Idowu Adedeji Adeyemi — Young Progressives Party (YPP)
- Waheed Olanrewaju Azzan — Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
The published document also contains the names of the deputy governorship candidates, alongside their ages, genders and educational qualifications.
The 2027 election is expected to draw significant political attention as candidates and parties seek the support of voters across Oyo State’s 33 local government areas.
The official candidate list is available on the INEC website.