2027 Polls: APC uploads 27 Governorship candidates, one State left out

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has managed to sort out the problems emerging in its gubernatorial primaries in almost all the states where the primaries led to disagreements, thus making it possible for it to forward its candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The APC has managed to submit the names of its governorship candidates and their running mates in 27 out of the 28 states where the governorship elections will take place.

The only state in the North-East region that has not been sorted out due to issues relating to the choice of a deputy governorship candidate.

It was revealed by the party sources that the problem is expected to be sorted out at a stakeholders’ meeting slated to take place on Monday in Abuja.

This is because of the fact that it needs to replace the current deputy governor whose term of office has expired.

The development comes after weeks of disagreements in states such as Kwara, Oyo, Adamawa and Bauchi, where the APC governorship primaries were fiercely contested. Campaigns& Elections

APC governorship candidates already submitted to INEC

1. Obafemi Hamzat – Lagos

2. Solomon Adeola – Ogun

3. Kingsley Chinda – Rivers

4. Eric Opah – Abia

5. Mohammed Abubakar – Bauchi

6. Mustapha Gubio – Borno

7. Jamilu Gwamna – Gombe

8. Aliyu Wadada – Nasarawa

9. Baba Malam Wali – Yobe

10. Hyacinth Alia – Benue

11. Bassey Otu – Cross River

12. Sheriff Oborevwori – Delta

13. Francis Nwifuru – Ebonyi

14. Peter Mbah – Enugu

15. Umar Namadi – Jigawa

16. Abba Yusuf – Kano

17. Dikko Radda – Katsina

18. Umar Bago – Niger

19. Nasir Idris – Kebbi

20. Caleb Mutfwang – Plateau

21. Umo Eno – Akwa Ibom

22. Dauda Lawal – Zamfara

23. Ahmed Aliyu – Sokoto

24. Yakubu Danladi Salihu – Kwara

25. Sharafadeen Alli – Oyo

26. Ahmed Tijani Galadima – Adamawa

27. Mohammed Abubakar – Bauchi

Kaduna State is missing as the Governor has reportedly settled for a Christian candidate from from the southern part of the state.

How key disputes were resolved

In Kwara State, the emergence of House of Assembly Speaker Yakubu Danladi Salihu, backed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, initially sparked opposition from several aspirants, including Senators Salihu Mustapha, Oyelola Ashiru and Umar Sadiq Suleiman. However, the disagreements have now been settled.

In Bauchi, the governorship primary led to internal divisions involving prominent party members such as former Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, Bala Wunti, Nura Manu Soro and Senator Shehu Umar Buba. Following the primary, Buba defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while the APC deputy chairman in the state, Ibrahim Misau, also left with several party officials.

Despite the setbacks, the APC has concluded its submission process in the state.

In Adamawa, initial tension over Ahmed Tijani Galadima’s emergence has eased.

Galadima reportedly enjoyed the support of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, while Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri was said to have preferred another aspirant.

The governor has since appeared publicly with Galadima, signalling reconciliation within the party.

In Oyo State, former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu had challenged the outcome of the primary and sought redress at the APC National Secretariat.

Despite his objections, Senator Sharafadeen Alli was confirmed as the party’s candidate, with Adesoji Adedeji named as his running mate.

A member of the party’s vetting committee, who spoke anonymously, said the APC had made significant progress in completing the upload of its candidates’ details, adding that only one state remains outstanding because of the deputy governorship nomination.

The source also revealed that about 60 percent of the party’s House of Assembly candidates have been uploaded to the INEC portal.

Political parties have until August 8 to submit the names of their governorship and House of Assembly candidates to INEC.