Full List: 8 Governors Missing from 2027 Governorship Race

As political activities intensify ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, eight states will not participate in the governorship election scheduled for the general election cycle.

The affected states are Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun.

The states are not part of the 2027 governorship contest because their elections operate on different electoral calendars following a combination of off-cycle elections and court-related developments that altered the timing of their governorship polls.

Consequently, the incumbent governors in these states will not face a fresh governorship election in 2027. However, this does not mean the governors are constitutionally barred from participating in other elections or political activities.

Full List of Governors

1. Anambra State — Governor Chukwuma Soludo

Anambra is one of Nigeria’s established off-cycle governorship states. Its governorship election was held separately from the 2027 general election cycle.

2. Bayelsa State — Governor Douye Diri

Bayelsa’s governorship election is also conducted off-cycle. The state last held its governorship election in 2023, keeping the next contest outside the 2027 general election timetable.

3. Edo State — Governor Monday Okpebholo

Edo State is another state whose governorship election does not fall within the 2027 general election cycle.

4. Ekiti State — Governor Abiodun Oyebanji

Ekiti held its governorship election in 2026, meaning there will be no governorship election in the state during the 2027 general election.

5. Imo State — Governor Hope Uzodimma

Imo’s governorship election is also conducted separately from the nationwide governorship election cycle.

6. Kogi State — Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo

Kogi State is among the states operating an off-cycle governorship calendar and will therefore not conduct another governorship election in 2027.

7. Ondo State — Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa

Ondo is also excluded from the 2027 governorship contest because its electoral calendar falls outside the general election cycle.

8. Osun State — Governor Ademola Adeleke

Osun will hold its governorship election in 2026 rather than 2027. INEC has scheduled the Osun governorship election for August 15, 2026.

What This Means for 2027

With these eight states outside the 2027 governorship cycle, governorship elections will be held in 28 states during the 2027 general election period. Political parties are already preparing candidates and structures for the contests across the affected states.

The development is expected to influence the political calculations of the major parties, particularly the APC, PDP and emerging opposition alliances, as they position themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential, National Assembly and governorship elections.

NB: It is important to note that the governors listed above are not automatically barred from political participation in 2027. The key point is that their respective states will not hold governorship elections during the 2027 general election cycle.