The All Progressives Congress (APC) has completed the nomination process for governorship candidates in 27 of the 28 states where elections will be held in 2027. The party has forwarded the names of these candidates and their deputies to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Only one North‑Eastern state remains pending as stakeholders prepare to meet in Abuja to select a running mate.
APC Uploads 27 Governorship Candidates
According to party sources, the upload followed the resolution of disagreements that arose from fiercely contested primaries in several states. The APC’s national leadership confirmed that, aside from the outstanding North‑East matter, the nomination exercise is effectively closed.
State‑by‑State Highlights
Kwara State
Speaker of the Kwara House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi Salihu, emerged as the APC governorship candidate. His selection followed the backing of incumbent Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, which initially sparked protests from aspirants such as Senator Salihu Mustapha, Senator Oyelola Ashiru and Senator Umar Sadiq Suleiman. After internal deliberations, the party leadership reconciled the differences and submitted Danladi’s details to INEC.
Oyo State
Senator Sharafadeen Alli was uploaded as the APC candidate, with Adesoji Adedeji named as his running mate. The primary had been challenged by former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, who claimed irregularities and vowed to appeal the outcome. Party officials later confirmed that the dispute had been settled, allowing the submission of Alli and Adedeji’s names.
Adamawa State
Former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, Ahmed Tijani Galadima, is the APC governorship candidate. Although Governor Ahmadu Fintiri initially favoured another contender, he later accepted the outcome after receiving support from National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. The governor has since been seen alongside Galadima at public events, signalling a thaw in party tensions.
Bauchi State
Former governor Mohammed Abubakar secured the APC ticket despite a highly divisive primary that attracted notable figures such as former Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Bala Wunti, Nura Manu Soro and Senator Shehu Umar Buba. Following the announcement of Abubakar’s victory, Buba left the APC to join the Peoples Democratic Party, and the Bauchi APC Deputy Chairman Ibrahim Misau also defected. Nevertheless, Abubakar’s name has been uploaded as the party’s candidate.
Outstanding North‑East Issue
The only state yet to finalize its governorship ticket is in the North‑East, where stakeholders are scheduled to meet in Abuja on Monday to decide on a deputy governorship candidate. The delay stems from the need to replace an incumbent deputy governor who has already served two terms. Party officials expect the matter to be resolved at the meeting, after which the final candidate details will be forwarded to INEC.
Other First‑Time Aspirants
Among the 27 candidates already submitted, a dozen are seeking the governorship for the first time. They include:
- Obafemi Hamzat – Lagos
- Solomon Adeola – Ogun
- Kingsley Chinda – Rivers
- Eric Opah – Abia
- Mohammed Abubakar – Bauchi
- Mustapha Gubio – Borno
- Jamilu Gwamna – Gombe
- Aliyu Wadada – Nasarawa
- Baba Malam Wali – Yobe
- Hyacinth Alia – Benue
- Bassey Otu – Cross River
- Sheriff Oborevwori – Delta
- Francis Nwifuru – Ebonyi
- Peter Mbah – Enugu
- Umar Namadi – Jigawa
- Abba Yusuf – Kano
- Dikko Radda – Katsina
- Umar Bago – Niger
- Nasir Idris – Kebbi
- Caleb Mutfwang – Plateau
- Umo Eno – Akwa Ibom
- Dauda Lawal – Zamfara
- Ahmed Aliyu – Sokoto
Political parties have until August 8 to forward their governorship and state assembly candidate lists to INEC. The APC has also uploaded approximately 60 percent of its nominees for the forthcoming state Houses of Assembly elections, which will be held in all 36 states during the 2027 general elections.
