Niger ADC produces governorship candidate, others

The Niger State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially produced Dr. Mohammed Kpautagi as its gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming 2027 general elections. Kpautagi emerged victorious after a primary election that saw him defeat his opponent, Alhaji Idrisu Makanta, across 24 of the state's 25 local government areas.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by Ibrahim Mohammed, the Niger State Returning Officer and Secretary of the ADC Primary Election Committee, during the official declaration of results for various elective positions. Kpautagi garnered a substantial 67,924 votes, significantly outperforming his opponent, Usman, who received 27,769 votes across the state.

In addition to the governorship race, the ADC primary elections also determined the party's candidates for the three senatorial seats. Alhaji Shehu Mohammed will represent Niger North, Muktar Ahmed, who ran unopposed, will represent Niger East, and Baba Agaie, a former deputy leader of the House of Representatives, secured the nomination for Niger South.

The party also announced the winners for the Niger State House of Representatives seats. These include Mohammed Abubakar for Bida/Gbako/Katcha, Ado Abubakar for Tafa/Gurara/Suleja, Mohammed Abubakar for Mashegu/Wushishi/Kontagora/Mariga, Abubakar Takuma for Lavun/Edati/Mokwa, and Mohammed Abdullahi for Magama/Rijau. Other winners were Shitu Adamu for Lapai/Agaie, Jailani Inuwa for Evuti, Agwara/Borgu, Mohammed Alhaji for Chanchaga, Abdulmali Kabir for Bosso/Paikoro, and Ismaila Ibrahim for Shiroro/Munya/Rafi.

The returning officer confirmed that all declared candidates met the requirements stipulated by the party's constitution and guidelines for the respective elective offices. The primary elections also saw the selection of candidates for the Niger State House of Assembly, with Nasiru Waziri (Kontagora 1), Bawa Joshua (Munya), Auta Solomon (Tafa), Nuhu Ibrahim (Gurara), Abdullahi Imam (Wushishi), Isah Mohammed (Edati), Abubakar Garba Mohammed (Suleja), Mairogo Hamisu (Borgu), Idris Ibrahim (Shiroro), Riyanu Suleiman (Kontagora 2), Abdulwahid Ahmed (Chanchaga), Shehu Marfa (Mariga), Mohammed Sani (Mokwa), Yusuf Baba (Lavun), Mohammed Umar (Katcha), Adamu Wonigi (Agaie), Haruna Labaran (Rafi), Yusuf Aliyu (Bosso), Baba Abubakar (Bida 1), and Mustapha Shuaib (Bida 2) securing nominations.