The Independent National Electoral Commission says it will make public the names of governorship and state Assembly candidates on Saturday, August 29.

The commission explained that releasing the list early is part of its roadmap for the 2027 general elections. It will give parties, aspirants and voters a chance to cross-check details submitted by political parties.

On February 6, 2027, voters in 28 states will elect new governors. State House of Assembly elections will hold nationwide across all 36 states.

The states holding governorship polls are:

Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Kwara, Benue, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Sokoto.

Eight states are excluded this round: Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Edo, Bayelsa, Anambra, Imo and Kogi. Their elections fall outside this cycle because of previous off-cycle polls.

INEC noted that parties are expected to present fresh faces in 10 states where sitting governors will complete their terms in 2027. Those states are Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kwara and Nasarawa.

With 22 registered parties in the country, competition is expected to be keen in those open contests.

Parties running for president, Senate and House of Representatives also have until August 29 to submit their final candidate lists to INEC.

The window for withdrawals closed on August 22. Section 31 of the Electoral Act 2026 requires any candidate pulling out to submit a signed written notice and affidavit directly to their party.

The final list for the presidential race, Senate and House seats will be published by INEC on September 12.

The August 29 publication will be the first major milestone ahead of the 2027 polls. Parties are now racing to finalize nominations and substitutions before the names go public.

The February governorship and Assembly votes will kick off the 2027 election calendar.