The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published its final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship and State House of Assembly elections in Ebonyi State, confirming 12 contenders for the state’s top political office.

Among those cleared are incumbent Governor Francis Nwifuru of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Ifeanyichukwu Odii, and Senator Paulinus Igwe Nwagu of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The list, displayed at INEC’s state headquarters in Abakaliki and its offices across the state’s 13 local government areas on Saturday, October 10, 2026, also includes Eze Oko Splendour of the Labour Party (LP) and Ubasinachi Destiny Chimeremeze of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA).

Other governorship candidates include Ukpai Mba Udeh of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Okorie Ogochukwu of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Nwodom Lucy Chinwe of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Nwankwo Martha Ebere of the Action Peoples Party (APP), Ojeogu Ifeanyi Stephen of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Agbo Kingsley Obinna of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Nwinyinya Juliet of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Three women are on the governorship list: Nwankwo, Nwodom and Nwinyinya. Four women are also listed as deputy governorship candidates.

A review of the published candidate lists indicates that no candidate was identified as a person living with a disability among those contesting the governorship, deputy governorship or State House of Assembly positions. The figures raise questions about the representation of persons with disabilities in the state’s electoral contests.

The legislative race will feature 238 candidates competing for 24 seats in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly. Of the candidates listed, 210 are men, and 28 are women.

Sixteen political parties have candidates in the Assembly election. They include the APC, PDP, NDC, SDP, NRM, ADP, ADC, APM, NNPP, YPP, LP, APGA, APP, DLA, Action Alliance (AA) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

According to the published figures, the AA has two candidates, APM 15, ADC 24, ADP 24, APC 24, APGA 13, APP two, DLA eight, LP 14, NDC 24, NNPP 16, PDP 24, NRM 15, SDP 24, PRP three, and YPP two.

The distribution shows that the APC, PDP, NDC and SDP have fielded candidates in all 24 constituencies, setting up contests across the state’s legislative districts.

Some constituencies are expected to attract particular attention because of the number of candidates and the profile of the incumbent lawmakers. In Abakaliki North, nine candidates are contesting the seat currently held by APC lawmaker Victor Nwoke, who is seeking re-election.

Nine candidates are also listed in Afikpo North-East, where APC lawmaker Ezeali Ukie Oluchi is the incumbent.

Ikwo South is another closely watched constituency, with 13 candidates listed in the contest involving the incumbent Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Odunwa Moses Ije, who is running on the APC platform.

INEC’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Ebonyi State, Victor Oko, said the publication was carried out in line with the commission’s approved timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 elections.

The release of the final list marks an important stage in preparations for the governorship and legislative polls, giving voters a clearer picture of the candidates and parties seeking their support.

With multiple parties fielding candidates across the state, attention will now turn to campaign activities, candidate engagement with voters and the issues likely to shape the contests.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia