ADC Names Kpautagi As Niger Governorship Candidate For 2027

According to Ireporter Online, the Niger State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially announced Mohammed Kpautagi as its governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections following the conclusion of its primary elections held across the state.

The State Returning Officer and Secretary of the ADC Primary Election Committee, Ibrahim Mohammed, declared the results at the IBB Guest House in Minna, where candidates were also unveiled for senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly positions. He stated that the exercise was conducted in line with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.

Mohammed announced that Kpautagi secured a total of 67,924 votes to defeat his closest rival, Idris Usman, who polled 27,769 votes across the 25 local government areas of Niger State. He also confirmed winners for the senatorial districts, including Shehu Mohammed for Niger North, Muktar Ahmed for Niger East who emerged unopposed, and Baba Shehu for Niger South.

In the House of Representatives primaries, several candidates emerged across various constituencies, including those for Bida/Gbako/Katcha, Tafa/Gurara/Suleja, Lavun/Edati/Mokwa, Magama/Rijau, Lapai/Agaie, Agwara/Borgu, Chanchaga, Bosso/Paikoro, and Shiroro/Munya/Rafi federal constituencies. Similarly, candidates were also unveiled for multiple seats in the Niger State House of Assembly across constituencies such as Kontagora, Munya, Tafa, Gurara, Wushishi, Suleja, Borgu, Shiroro, Chanchaga, Mariga, Mokwa, Lavun, Katcha, Agaie, Rafi, Bosso, Bida and others.

Speaking after his emergence, the ADC governorship candidate, Kpautagi, expressed appreciation for his victory, describing it as a result of dedication and collective effort, while calling for unity among party members. He also emphasized youth and women empowerment as central to his campaign agenda, while criticising the current administration over rising economic hardship and inflation in the country.

Other candidates also expressed satisfaction with the process, describing the primaries as a demonstration of internal democracy within the ADC. Some flagged insecurity, poverty and lack of basic amenities as key challenges affecting their constituencies, pledging to prioritise security, education and economic recovery ahead of the 2027 elections.