By John Azu
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed reports that it does not have governorship candidates in 12 of the 28 states where governorship elections will be held in the 2027 general elections.
The party described the reports as false, malicious and intended to mislead Nigerians and undermine its growing political momentum nationwide.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, Esq., said the party had duly nominated governorship candidates in all 28 states scheduled to hold governorship elections in 2027.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NDC has duly nominated and has governorship candidates in all the 28 states where governorship elections will take place in 2027,” Director said.
“Our party is fully prepared, fully structured and fully on ground in every state of the federation. The NDC is not a regional party. We are a national movement with candidates, structures and supporters in all 36 states and the FCT.”
The party subsequently listed the candidates in the 12 states where it was allegedly reported to have no governorship candidates.
They are: Zamfara State — Senator Kabiru Marafa; Borno State — Rear Admiral Ibrahim Sanusi Kasim (rtd.); Cross River State — Hon. John Odey; Akwa Ibom State — Babanta Michael Okon; Ebonyi State — Nwofe Boniface; Plateau State — Yakubu Solomon Ndam; Katsina State — Ilu-Barde Aliyu; Kebbi State — Alhaji Umar Usman Besse; Yobe State — Jonga Yahaya Gabakau; Jigawa State — Dutse Aminu Sani; Taraba State — Prof. Yahaya Mohammed Sani; and Niger State — Abdu Sidi Bomi.
The NDC urged media organisations, journalists, bloggers and content creators to scrutinise their sources and verify information before publication, stressing that journalism should be anchored on facts rather than rumours.
The party also vowed not to be distracted by what it described as sponsored falsehoods.
Continuing, Director said Nigerians were tired of the “old order” and “recycled failures”, adding that the NDC was positioned to provide an alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Nigerians are tired of the old order. They are tired of recycled failures. The NDC is the preferred party to salvage Nigeria. With credible candidates, a clear manifesto, and a commitment to security, jobs and accountability, we are ready to rescue and rebuild this nation in 2027.
“We call on all Nigerians to join the movement. The rescue mission has started,” he said.
The NDC’s clarification followed a recent claim by Okoi Obono-Obla, a former Special Assistant on Prosecution to former President Muhammadu Buhari, that the party had failed to conclude its primaries to fill vacant slots following the July 14 deadline for National Assembly candidates and the August 8 deadline for governorship candidates.
Obono-Obla alleged that the failure to field candidates in the 12 states would leave the party with “empty slots” and could cost it between four million and six million votes in the January 16, 2027 elections.
He also argued that the alleged omissions contravened Sections 33 and 34(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
Section 33 provides that a political party shall not be allowed to change or substitute a candidate whose name has been submitted under Section 29, except in the event of death or withdrawal.
Section 34(1) further provides that no further withdrawal or replacement of a candidate will be allowed except in the event of death or pursuant to a court order.
The NDC, however, maintained that it had candidates in all 28 states where governorship elections are scheduled to hold in 2027, rejecting the contrary reports as misinformation.