The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has stepped up its preparations for the 2027 elections, unveiling governorship and deputy governorship candidates in 28 states.
The party’s slate includes several familiar political figures, including former presidential aide Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour in Lagos, former Kaduna governorship candidate Isa Ashiru, former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, and former Delta governorship candidate Great Ogboru.
Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita will contest the Katsina governorship, while other notable names on the list include Senator Halliru Dauda Jika in Bauchi, former House of Representatives member Herman Iorwase Hembe in Benue, former lawmaker Zakari Mohammed in Kwara and retired Army officer Brigadier General John Sunday Sura in Plateau.
The candidates were announced in a statement issued on Friday by ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, who said the party’s flagbearers would represent its push for credible leadership and what it described as a genuine alternative in 2027.
Major Pairings
Some of the party’s high-profile tickets include:
- Lagos: Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and Gbadamosi Babatunde Olalere
- Kaduna: Isa Mohammed Ashiru and Kantiok Irmiya Ishaku
- Delta: Great Ogboru and Afiari Gloria
- Katsina: Ahmad Babba Kaita and Aminu Yar’Adua Ahmed
- Kebbi: Abubakar Malami and Zagi Musa Mohammed
The ADC unveiled the candidates ahead of the February 6, 2027 governorship elections. Campaigning for the contests is scheduled to commence on September 9, 2026.
Full ADC Governorship Ticket
| State | Governorship candidate | Deputy candidate |
|---|---|---|
| Abia | Kalu Kalu Agu | Alozie Ogidimma Darlington |
| Adamawa | Modibbo Hammantukur Ribadu | Aguwa Kevin Iliya |
| Akwa Ibom | Akpanudoedehe John James | Nsien Mkpombuk Tommy |
| Bauchi | Sen. Halliru Dauda Jika | Sama’ila Mohammed Kabir |
| Benue | Herman Iorwase Hembe | Abba John Abba |
| Borno | Babagana Buhari | Mamman Dauda |
| Cross River | Nkoyo Toyo | Okwoche Andrew Adagbor |
| Delta | Great Ogboru | Afiari Gloria |
| Ebonyi | Ukpai Mba Udeh | Onwe Daniel Ede |
| Enugu | Ocho Obodoze Chukwuma | Eze Arinze Christopher |
| Gombe | Bala Bello | Bala Sani Isa |
| Jigawa | Sabo Mohammed Nakudu | Musa Ya’u Balarabe |
| Kaduna | Isa Mohammed Ashiru | Kantiok Irmiya Ishaku |
| Kano | Ibrahim Ali Amin | Shehu Abdulkadir Bari |
| Katsina | Ahmad Babba Kaita | Aminu Yar’adua Ahmed |
| Kebbi | Abubakar Malami | Zagi Musa Mohammed |
| Kwara | Zakari Mohammed | Olawuyi Julius Olayide |
| Lagos | Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour | Gbadamosi Babatunde Olalere |
| Nasarawa | Nuhu Angbazo | Ahmed Yusuf |
| Niger | Mohammed Kpautagi | Musa Mamman |
| Ogun | Biodun Collins Ogundipe | Muraina Oluwaranti Oluyemi |
| Oyo | Taofeek Adegboyega Adegoke | Wahab Adeniyi |
| Plateau | John Sunday Sura | Pwajok-Kele Chundung Bitrus |
| Rivers | Gabriel Pidomson | Okumgba David Amapakaye |
| Sokoto | Manir Mohammad Daniya | Isah Bello Ambarura |
| Taraba | Abubakar Umar Tutare | Kwetishe Haruna Kwenyan |
| Yobe | Kassim G. Gaidam | Kori Lawan Mohammed |
| Zamfara | Shinkafi Bilyaminu Yusuf | Muhammad Abdulmuddalib Auwal |
The announcement gives the ADC an early organisational foothold across a broad stretch of the country as political parties begin positioning themselves for the 2027 governorship contests.
With campaigns set to open in September, the focus will now shift from candidate selection to building state-level structures, attracting voters and turning the party’s promise of an alternative into a competitive electoral campaign.