2027: NDC Releases Governorship Candidates, Claims Presence In 28 States

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected reports suggesting that it does not have governorship candidates in 12 states ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that it has candidates in all 28 states where governorship elections are scheduled to take place.

According to Ireporter Online, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, made the clarification in a statement issued on Saturday in response to reports claiming that the NDC had only 16 governorship candidates.

Director described the reports as false and misleading, alleging that they were intended to create doubt about the party’s growing political presence across the country.

He maintained that the NDC is a national political movement with structures, supporters and candidates across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, dismissing suggestions that the party is limited to a particular region.

To counter the claims, the party released the names of its governorship candidates in the 12 states mentioned in the reports. They include Senator Kabiru Marafa in Zamfara State, retired Rear Admiral Ibrahim Sanusi Kasim in Borno, Hon. John Odey in Cross River, Babanta Michael Okon in Akwa Ibom, Nwofe Boniface in Ebonyi and Yakubu Solomon Ndam in Plateau State.

Others listed are Ilu-Barde Aliyu in Katsina, Alhaji Umar Usman Besse in Kebbi, Jonga Yahaya Gabakau in Yobe, Dutse Aminu Sani in Jigawa, Prof. Yahaya Mohammed Sani in Taraba and Abdu Sidi Bomi in Niger State.

The party urged journalists, media organisations, bloggers and other content creators to verify information and scrutinise their sources before publishing reports, stressing that unverified claims could undermine public confidence in both the media and the democratic process.

The NDC said it remained committed to issue-based politics and would not be distracted by what it described as sponsored falsehoods.

The party further claimed that Nigerians were seeking an alternative to the existing political order and expressed confidence that its candidates would secure significant support in the 2027 elections.

It also stated that its campaign would focus on issues including security, employment opportunities, accountability and national development, while calling on Nigerians to join what it described as a movement to “rescue and rebuild” the country.