Lagos Governorship Candidates 2027: INEC’s Final List of 17 Candidates and Their Running Mates

Lagos is Nigeria’s commercial capital and its governorship is one of the most closely watched races in every election cycle. For 2027 there is no incumbent on the ballot: Babajide Sanwo-Olu, elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2023, cannot run again under the Constitution’s two-term limit. That makes this an open race for the first time since 2019.

Below is every ticket as INEC published it in its Final List of Candidates for the Lagos State governorship election, signed by the commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony. Names are written exactly in the order INEC used (in most cases surname first) so that you can match them to the ballot; ages are as declared in the candidates’ nomination forms.

Full List: All 17 Lagos Governorship Candidates and Running Mates

Could the list still change? Yes, slightly. INEC has explained that, after the Supreme Court upheld the Electoral Act 2026’s rule that parties must submit membership registers for valid primaries (sections 77(5) to 77(7)), parties that did not comply were left off the governorship lists nationwide. Parties that believe their candidates were wrongly omitted have until 24 October 2026 to notify the Commission. We will update this page if INEC publishes any change for Lagos.

The Tickets Lagosians Are Searching For

Parties are covered here in alphabetical order. The details come from INEC’s list and candidates’ public records; NaijaSabi does not rank or endorse candidates.

ADC: Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and Babatunde Gbadamosi

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, 43, is one of the youngest candidates on the list. He was the Labour Party’s governorship candidate in 2023, when he finished second, and is running for 2027 on the African Democratic Congress platform. His INEC form lists a primary leaving certificate, SSCE and BSc/MSc degrees. His running mate is Gbadamosi Babatunde Olalere, 58.

APC: Obafemi Hamzat and Damilola Sonayon James

Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, 62, has been Deputy Governor of Lagos State under Babajide Sanwo-Olu since 2019. He is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, the party that has governed Lagos since it was formed in 2013. His INEC form lists the West African School Certificate and a BSc. His running mate, listed by INEC as James Damilola Sonayon, is 42 and the youngest running mate among the five tickets covered here.

LP: Oluwapemilerin Odunaike and Lateef Adele

The Labour Party, whose candidate came second in Lagos in 2023, is represented by Odunaike Oluwapemilerin Olurotimi, 49, who lists a BSc and an MBA. His running mate is Adele Lateef Adekunle Ayinla, 43.

NDC: Olufunso Doherty and Moriam Anmashaun

Doherty Olufunso Adeshina, 58, is the candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, the party whose presidential ticket is led by Peter Obi. He lists a BSc and an MBA. His running mate is Anmashaun Moriam Tolani, 59, the oldest running mate on the Lagos list.

PDP: Adedeji Doherty and Khadijat Bello

The Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate is Doherty Adedeji Olugbemiga, 64, who lists a B.Eng from Central State University in the United States. His running mate is Bello Khadijat Abike, 46, a University of Ilorin graduate according to her INEC filing. Note that there are two Dohertys on the ballot, in different parties: Adedeji Doherty (PDP) and Olufunso Doherty (NDC). Check the party logo on the ballot paper, not just the surname.

The Lagos Ballot in Numbers

Key Dates for the Lagos Governorship Election

Lagos voters will go to the polls twice: on 16 January for president, senators and House of Representatives members, and three weeks later on 6 February for governor and the State House of Assembly. For the national picture, see our full list of 2027 presidential candidates and running mates and our 2027 election date and timetable guide.

How a Candidate Wins the Lagos Governorship

Under Section 179 of the Constitution, a candidate is declared winner if he or she scores the highest number of votes and at least a quarter of the votes cast in at least two-thirds of the local government areas in the state. Lagos has 20 local government areas. If no candidate meets both conditions, a second election is held within seven days between the leading candidate and the candidate who has the majority of votes in the highest number of local government areas.

In practice this means a candidate cannot win Lagos on a big vote in a few areas alone. Turnout across the whole state, from Ikorodu and Epe to Alimosho and Badagry, decides the race.

Before You Vote: What Lagos Voters Should Do Now

1. Collect your PVC. Collection is going on at INEC local government offices. Our guide explains how to check if your PVC is ready and where to collect it.
2. Confirm your polling unit. Check your details on INEC’s voter portal. If you registered in Lagos, you vote in Lagos, at the polling unit on your card.
3. Know the ballot. With 17 parties and two candidates named Doherty, look for the party name and logo you intend to vote for before you get into the voting cubicle.
4. Compare plans, not posters. Look at what each party says about traffic and transport, flooding, housing, jobs and the cost of living in Lagos before you decide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many candidates are running for Lagos governor in 2027?

Seventeen. INEC’s final list has 17 parties fielding a candidate for the Lagos governorship, each with a running mate.

Who is the APC governorship candidate in Lagos?

Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the current Deputy Governor of Lagos State. His running mate is listed by INEC as James Damilola Sonayon.

Which party is Rhodes-Vivour running with in 2027?

The African Democratic Congress (ADC). He ran under the Labour Party in 2023.

Can Sanwo-Olu run again?

No. He has served two terms, the maximum the Constitution allows, and his tenure ends on 29 May 2027.

When is the Lagos governorship election?

Saturday, 6 February 2027, on the same day as the Lagos State House of Assembly election.

Who is the youngest Lagos governorship candidate?

Peter Helen Ojotule of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), who is 36.

Sources

1. Independent National Electoral Commission – Final List of Candidates, Lagos State Governorship Election 2027 (signed by Rose Oriaran-Anthony, Secretary) – inecnigeria.org
2. Independent National Electoral Commission – Election calendar, 2027 General Elections; and “Clarification on the Omission of Some Candidates from the Final List for the 2027 Governorship Election”, October 2026 – inecnigeria.org
3. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Sections 179 and 182

Last updated: 20 October 2026 · NaijaSabi Civic Desk. NaijaSabi does not endorse any candidate or party. If INEC changes the list, we will update this page.