NDC names governorship candidates in 12 states, rejects regional-party claims

The Nigeria Democratic Congress has rejected reports that it lacks governorship candidates in 12 states, calling the claim false and politically motivated as parties prepare for the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the NDC had nominated candidates in all 28 states where governorship elections are expected to take place. He said reports questioning the party’s presence in some states were intended to weaken what the NDC described as its growing national momentum.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the NDC has duly nominated and has governorship candidates in all the 28 states where governorship elections will take place in 2027,” Director said. He rejected suggestions that the party was limited to a particular region, saying it had structures, candidates and supporters in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

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The NDC has been shocked to discover a false story and deliberate propaganda circulating in sections of the media and on social media claiming that the NDC does not have governorship candidates in 12 states ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party named Senator Kabiru Marafa for Zamfara, retired Rear Admiral Ibrahim Sanusi Kasim for Borno, John Odey for Cross River and Babanta Michael Okon for Akwa Ibom. Its other listed candidates were Nwofe Boniface in Ebonyi, Yakubu Ndam in Plateau, Ilu-Barde Aliyu in Katsina, Umar Besse in Kebbi, Jonga Gabakau in Yobe, Dutse Sani in Jigawa, Professor Yahaya Sani in Taraba and Abdu Sidi Bomi in Niger State.

The NDC urged journalists and media organisations to check political claims before publishing, warning that unverified information could damage public confidence in the media and the electoral process. The party said it was positioning itself as an alternative to Nigeria’s established political order and would focus on security, employment and accountability if elected in 2027.

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The NDC is not a regional party. We are a national movement with candidates, structures, and supporters in all 36 states and the FCT.