Candidates and stakeholders across various political platforms in the country have been put on edge as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the names of governorship candidates across the states.

Our correspondents report that as candidates and their supporters trooped to state offices of the commission, some who had assumed they were the authentic flagbearers of their parties were surprised to see that their names were omitted from the lists pasted at the commission’s state headquarters.

In Adamawa State, the names of earlier candidates for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ambassador Omar Suleiman (aka Omarana), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Caleb Andrew, were replaced. The ADC ticket was updated with the name of Hamman Tukur Modibbo Ribadu.

Meanwhile, in Niger State, the governorship candidate of the PDP, Abubakar Suleiman, agreed to step down, while the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Nasarawa State indicated he might also relinquish his ticket.

Reports from our correspondents across the states detail the following developments:

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the list of governorship candidates for Nasarawa State ahead of the 2027 election, omitting the names of two high-profile aspirants: former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, and the Senator representing Nasarawa South, Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo.

Instead, Musa Adamu Angba was listed as the SDP candidate, while the APM State Chairman, Mohammed Awwal Suleiman, appeared as the Allied People’s Movement flag bearer.

Speaking in an interview, Angba said he is ready to relinquish the SDP ticket to the former IGP “if the need arises.”

“People are congratulating me on finding myself listed by INEC. I only give thanks to God who made it possible for me to be in that position today,” he said.

Addressing speculation about a possible substitution, the SDP candidate said he enjoys a good relationship with former IGP Adamu.

“We were chatting. I felt so sorry for him because of what they did to him. If you heard me say he is the one I will use to get Nasarawa State back on track, we can hand over things to him,” Angba stated.

When asked if there was a formal agreement to hand over the candidacy to the former IGP, he replied: “Why not? Because he speaks with me, I feel happy, and he also feels happy. There is a good understanding.”

He, however, denied knowledge of an affidavit circulating on social media claiming he had agreed to withdraw. “I have never known about this matter. I didn’t do it. I don’t know about the letter. I only know that I am in the race,” he said.

Angba also appealed for unity, adding: “Even if it’s not me, the one I will support must protect the interests of our people and younger generation.”

The former IGP’s campaign organization had earlier insisted he remains the authentic SDP candidate. Campaign Director General Abdullahi Yammani stated that Adamu “has officially registered with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) online, is fully in the race, and is ready to contest the governorship of Nasarawa State.”

Senator Onawo, who represents Nasarawa South, had contested the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship primary and lost to retired Major General Nuhu Angbazo. He later resigned from the ADC and joined the APM to pursue his ambition.

The omission of his name from the INEC list sparked concern among his supporters. However, APM State Chairman Mohammed Awwal Suleiman explained that an arrangement exists to transfer the ticket to Senator Onawo within the substitution window allowed by INEC.

“There is an arrangement to hand over the mandate to Senator Onawo within the substitution window as stipulated by INEC guidelines,” Suleiman said. He explained that his own name was submitted temporarily to secure the party’s slot.

Other candidates published on the INEC list for Nasarawa include Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (APC), Musa Adamu Angba (SDP), Dahiru Musa Doma (APP), Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi (LP), Retd. Maj. Gen. Nuhu Angbazo (ADC), Emmanuel David Ombugadu (PDP), Ibrahim Kasimu Aboh (APGA), Christopher Mamman (ADP), Abdullahi Omame Abisabo (PRP) and Abubakar Abdu Giza (ZLP).

Others are Mohammed Awwal Suleiman (APM), Abdullah Bukhari (AA), Kigbu John Tanko (YPP), Dogo Danladi Shammah (NDC) and Shuaibu Umaru Kubi (Accord)

Two candidates replaced in Adamawa

Checks at the INEC office in Yola showed that the ADC now has Hamman Tukur Modibbo Ribadu listed as its governorship candidate, while the PDP has Maurice Michael Vonobolki as its candidate for the upcoming election in the state.

Other candidates published include Senator Aisha Dahiru Binani (APC), Nathaniel Christopher (SDP), Senator Ishaku Abbo (LP), Pharmacist Wafarininyi Theman Dalatu (YPP), and Bala Abubakar Naibi (NNPP).

The publication of Hamman Tukur Modibbo Ribadu’s name triggered protests by supporters of Ambassador Omar Suleiman over the absence of his name from the portal. Protesters gathered at the party secretariat, where spokesperson Abdul aziz Goje voiced their dissatisfaction.

“We have written a formal letter of complaint to the National Headquarters of the party and INEC to respect the choice of Adamawa ADC members who voted through the electoral process enshrined in our constitution. How could someone who came second become the candidate?” Goje questioned.

Addressing the crowd, factional State Chairman Hon. Sai’du Naira assured protesters that their petition would reach party leadership to ensure internal democracy prevails.

Meanwhile, the Adamawa State Working Committee impeached Hon. Sadiq Ibrahim Dasin as the caretaker chairman of the party following an investigation into internal leadership tussles. Legal Adviser Barrister Abdulwahab Dahiru noted that Dasin failed to honor invitations by an investigative committee. In response, Dasin dismissed the impeachment, questioning how four out of sixteen committee members could validly sanction him.

The North East Executive Committee of the party, through Zonal Vice Chairman Daniel Bwala, has since quashed the suspension.

PDP candidate steps down for Ex-FIRS boss

Following the release of the list, Niger State PDP governorship candidate Abubakar Suleiman stepped down for Mohammed Mamman Nami, former Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Nami had earlier lost out in the Niger South APC Senatorial primary to Sani Idris Kutigi and subsequently left the APC alongside other aggrieved party members.

Suleiman confirmed to correspondents that he voluntarily stepped down for Nami, paving the way for the party to adjust its documentation with INEC. State PDP Chairman Aliyu Haliru Kaura confirmed that the substitution was made in full compliance with the Electoral Act to strengthen the party’s platform ahead of the election.

Reports also indicate that several incumbent House of Assembly lawmakers who lost APC tickets may defect to the PDP to join forces with Nami against Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.

Senator Buba makes list as PRP candidate

INEC has published the particulars of 19 governorship candidates and their running mates in Bauchi State, resolving internal leadership disputes within the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

Senator Shehu Buba Umar was officially listed as the PRP governorship candidate following a leadership contest with Barrister Safiya Gambo Idris.

The publication also featured 56-year-old businesswoman Hajiya Lami Babageidam Saraki as the candidate for the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). Speaking in an interview, Saraki stated her decision to run was driven by the political marginalization of women despite their high voter turnout.

Prominent candidates published for Bauchi State include former Governor Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar, SAN (APC), Senator Halliru Dauda Jika (ADC), Senator Shehu Buba Umar (PRP), Yakubu Adamu (APM), Hajiya Lami Babageidam Saraki (ZLP), Usman Ahmed Sufi (PDP), Kashim Ibrahim Muhammad (NDC) and Aliyu Idris Muhammad (LP).

Wali, Gaidam, Usman cleared

In Yobe State, INEC displayed the particulars of 13 governorship candidates at its Damaturu office.

The APC candidate, Baba Malam Wali, made the final list after emerging through a consensus arrangement that was eventually accepted by competing aspirants, including former Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Senator Ibrahim Bomai, Kashim Musa Tumsah, and former IGP Usman Alkali Baba.

The PDP listing introduced fresh controversy into the party’s internal crisis, as Abdullahi Usman—backed by the faction aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike—was published instead of Sharif Abdullahi.

Other candidates listed include Kasim Gaidam, former INEC National Commissioner (ADC), Nasiru Saleh Mohammed (ADP), Idrissa Madaki Ibrahim (APM), Abba Bature (SDP), Mohammed Umar (NNPP) and Abdullahi Usman (PDP)

Rivers: Running mates missing for NDC, BP candidates

The names of the running mates for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Lulu-Briggs Dumo Owukori, and the Boot Party (BP) candidate, Benjamin Oli, were missing from the list displayed at the INEC office along Aba Road in Port Harcourt, as their Form EC-9 details were not posted.

In total, 19 governorship candidates were cleared for Rivers State. Prominent candidates listed include Lulu-Briggs Dumo Owukori (NDC), Gabriel Pidomson (ADC), Ejekwu Samuel Soni (PDP), Chibuzor Rani (Accord), Tata Kenneth (APP) and Lawson Angel (ADP)

Benue: Alia, Aondoakaa, others uploaded

INEC has formally published the list of cleared candidates for the Benue State governorship election.

Among those confirmed is the incumbent governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, listed as the APC flag bearer alongside his running mate, Dr. Sam Ode.

Also listed was former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Other candidates published by the commission include Herman Hembe of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Professor Terhemba Shija of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Sebastine Hon of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Mathias Byuan of the Labour Party (LP).

Lagos: Hamzat, Gbadebo, Yayi, Adebutu, Alli, Adekambi made INEC list in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo

In Lagos, the INEC released 17 governorship candidates, including the state’s current Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat of the APC, and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the ADC, are contesting the governorship seat.

In Ogun, 13 political parties fielded candidates for the governorship election.

They are; APC’s Solomon Adeola (Yayi); Oladipupo Adebutu for PDP; and Lawal Jimi Adebisi for ADC.

Lawal, an ally of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Elrufal, recently won a suit to secure his party’s ticket.

Lawal and an AI expert, Dr Biodun Collins Ogundipe, had been locked in a legal battle over the ADC’s ticket.

Other names released by INEC in Ogun included, NDC:- Lanre Balogun. Abimbola, APM:- Babajide Rotimi Mathew; ACOORD:- Okewole Shaibu Olaniyi, APP :- Layi Labode Halima, NNPP:- Akinbola Hammed Rotimi, NDP:- Dasaolu Oluwaseyi Olamilekan, ADP:- Ogundeyi Adijat Ranti, SDP:- Olawilliams-Adeyinka Pemuel, BOOTH:- Ademuga. Adekunle Dreher and YPP:- Johnson Cyrus Oluwaseun.

And in Oyo, it was gathered that 16 candidates will contest the Oyo State governorship seat.

The APC candidate, Sharafadeen Alli, will battle Governor Seyi Makinde-backed Bimbo Adekambi of the Allied Peoples Movement and Yinusa Ayandare of the African Democratic Party.

Malami, Gov Idris, three others make INEC list for Kebbi guber election

Five political parties with the exception of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their candidates have been listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for Kebbi governorship election.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidates were conspicuously missing in the INEC list for the state’s governorship election.

In the INEC form, Umar Faruku is listed as the Social Democratic Party (SDP)’s candidate, Basiru Musa for Labour, Malami Abubakar, the former minister of Justice for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Umar Usman Besse for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) while the incumbent Governor of kebbi State, Nasir Idris was listed in the INEC form for the All Progressives Congress (APC). (Daily Trust)