2027: ADC unveils governorship candidates in 28 states

The African Democratic Congress has named its governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the 2027 elections in 28 Nigerian states, presenting the list as a pledge to offer voters an alternative.

The names, signed by National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, include prominent politicians and former public officials. “These men and women will carry the ADC banner and our commitment to offer Nigerians credible leadership and a real alternative,” Abdullahi wrote in a post on X.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled most of the governorship contests for Feb. 6, 2027. The elections will take place alongside polls for state Houses of Assembly. Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun will hold their governorship elections outside the regular cycle because of previous court decisions. Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for Jan. 16, 2027.

Among the candidates announced are Kalu Agu in Abia, Modibbo Ribadu in Adamawa, Akpanudedehe James in Akwa Ibom, Herman Iorwase Hembe in Benue, Great Ogboru in Delta, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour in Lagos and Gabriel Pidomson in Rivers. The list also includes candidates for Bauchi, Borno, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.

Since the ADC became the opposition coalition’s platform in 2025, the party has struggled to make a significant impact in the off-cycle governorship elections held in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun. In the 2025 Anambra election, APGA’s Chukwuma Soludo won re-election with 422,664 votes, defeating APC candidate Nicholas Ukachukwu, who received 99,445 votes.

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These men and women will carry the ADC banner and our commitment to offer Nigerians credible leadership and a real alternative.