ADC announces governorship candidates for 2027 elections

By Chioma Eze/ 4 Sept 2026(updated 4m ago)/ 3 min read/ 24 views

The African Democratic Congress has revealed its candidates for governor and deputy governor in the 2027 elections across 28 states. This list includes former presidential aide Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour in Lagos, former Kaduna State governorship candidate Isa Ashiru, and former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami.

The party also picked former Delta State governorship candidate Great Ogboru and Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita in Katsina.

The candidates were announced in a statement on Friday. The party said they will represent its drive to provide Nigerians with trustworthy leadership and a genuine alternative in the upcoming elections.

Bolaji Abdullahi, the party's spokesperson, shared the details on X.

Other key candidates include Senator Halliru Dauda Jika in Bauchi, former House of Representatives member Herman Iorwase Hembe in Benue, former House of Representatives member Zakari Mohammed in Kwara, and Brigadier General John Sunday Sura in Plateau.

The party has also selected candidates in Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Borno, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.

In Lagos, Rhodes-Vivour will run for governor with Gbadamosi Babatunde Olalere as his deputy. Ashiru will carry the party's flag in Kaduna with Kantiok Irmiya Ishaku as his running mate.

Ogboru will be paired with Afiari Gloria in Delta, and Kaita will contest in Katsina with Aminu Yar’adua Ahmed as his deputy.

In Kebbi, Malami will run alongside Zagi Musa Mohammed.

The ADC said these candidates show its commitment to giving Nigerians a choice ahead of the 2027 elections.

The party unveiled the candidates ahead of the governorship elections set for February 6, 2027.

Also, campaigns for the governorship elections will start on September 9, 2026.

Here is the full list:

ADC governor & deputy governor candidates

Abia: Governor, Kalu Kalu Agu; Deputy Governor, Alozie Ogidimma Darlington.
Adamawa: Governor, Modibbo Hammantukur Ribadu; Deputy Governor, Aguwa Kevin Iliya.
Akwa Ibom: Governor, Akpanudoedehe John James; Deputy Governor, Nsien Mkpombuk Tommy.
Bauchi: Governor, Sen. Halliru Dauda Jika; Deputy Governor, Sama’ila Mohammed Kabir.
Benue: Governor, Rt. Hon. Herman Iorwase Hembe; Deputy Governor, Abba John Abba.
Borno: Governor, Babagana Buhari; Deputy Governor, Mamman Dauda.
Cross River: Governor, Nkoyo Toyo; Deputy Governor, Okwoche Andrew Adagbor.
Delta: Governor, Chief Great Ogboru; Deputy Governor, Afiari Gloria.
Ebonyi: Governor, Ukpai Mba Udeh; Deputy Governor, Onwe Daniel Ede.
Enugu: Governor, Ocho Obodoze Chukwuma; Deputy Governor, Eze Arinze Christopher.
Gombe: Governor, Bala Bello; Deputy Governor, Bala Sani Isa.
Jigawa: Governor, Sabo Mohammed Nakudu; Deputy Governor, Musa Ya’u Balarabe.
Kaduna: Governor, Isa Mohammed Ashiru; Deputy Governor, Kantiok Irmiya Ishaku.
Kano: Governor, Ibrahim Ali Amin; Deputy Governor, Shehu Abdulkadir Bari.
Katsina: Governor, Sen. Ahmad Babba Kaita; Deputy Governor, Aminu Yar’adua Ahmed.
Kebbi: Governor, Abubakar Malami; Deputy Governor, Zagi Musa Mohammed.
Kwara: Governor, Zakari Mohammed; Deputy Governor, Olawuyi Julius Olayide.
Lagos State: Governor, Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour; Deputy Governor, Gbadamosi Babatunde Olalere.
Nasarawa: Nuhu Angbazo, Governor; Ahmed Yusuf, Deputy Governor
Niger: Dr. Mohammed Kpautagi, Governor; Musa Mamman, Deputy Governor
Ogun: Biodun Collins Ogundipe, Governor; Muraina Oluwaranti Oluyemi, Deputy Governor
Oyo: Taofeek Adegboyega Adegoke, Governor; Wahab Adeniyi, Deputy Governor
Plateau: Brig. Gen. John Sunday Sura, Governor; Pwajok-Kele Chundung Bitrus, Deputy Governor
Rivers: Gabriel Pidomson, Governor; Okumgba David Amapakaye, Deputy Governor
Sokoto: Manir Mohammad Daniya, Governor; Isah Bello Ambarura, Deputy Governor
Taraba: Abubakar Umar Tutare, Governor; Kwetishe Haruna Kwenyan, Deputy Governor
Yobe: Kassim G. Gaidam, Governor; Kori Lawan Mohammed, Deputy Governor
Zamfara: Shinkafi Bilyaminu Yusuf, Governor; Muhammad Abdulmuddalib Auwal, Deputy Governor