The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially denied viral reports claiming it lacks governorship candidates in 12 states ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the claims as false and politically motivated. In a statement released on Saturday, September 5, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the party asserted that it has duly nominated candidates in all 28 states where governorship elections will take place in 2027.
The denial comes amid growing attention on the party's preparations for the next electoral cycle, with the NDC positioning itself as a fresh alternative to Nigeria's dominant political forces. The party's leadership, under Senator Seriake Dickson, has been working to expand its presence across the country, and the recent reports were seen as an attempt to undermine that progress.
NDC Publishes Full List of Candidates in Disputed States
To counter the reports directly, the NDC released the names of its governorship candidates in the 12 states that were wrongly cited. The list includes Senator Kabiru Marafa for Zamfara State, retired Rear Admiral Ibrahim Sanusi Kasim for Borno, Hon. John Odey for Cross River, Babanta Michael Okon for Akwa Ibom, and Nwofe Boniface for Ebonyi.
The remaining seven candidates are Yakubu Solomon Ndam for Plateau, Ilu-Barde Aliyu for Katsina, Alhaji Umar Usman Besse for Kebbi, Jonga Yahaya Gabakau for Yobe, Dutse Aminu Sani for Jigawa, Prof. Yahaya Mohammed Sani for Taraba, and Abdu Sidi Bomi for Niger State. The party insisted that these nominations are final and that it is ready to contest in all the states.
Party Rejects 'Regional Organisation' Label
The NDC also pushed back against characterisations of it as a regional organisation, insisting that it has active structures, candidates, and supporters across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The party described the disputed reports as "sponsored falsehoods" and said it would not allow them to divert attention from issue-based campaigning.
In its statement, the NDC said: "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." The party also directed its message at journalists, bloggers, and content creators, urging them to verify political claims before publication. "Journalism thrives on truth, not rumours," the NDC said, adding that spreading unverified information could damage public confidence in both the press and democratic institutions.
Party Positions Itself as Fresh Alternative for 2027
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, the NDC positioned itself as a fresh alternative to Nigeria's dominant political parties, saying Nigerians were "tired of recycled failures." The party said its candidates would campaign on a platform built around security, job creation, and accountability. "The rescue mission has started," the party said, inviting Nigerians to back its political movement.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Senator Seriake Dickson asserted that nobody is doing the party a favour by handing the presidential ticket to Peter Obi for the 2027 elections. Dickson, the NDC founder, stated that he could have emerged as the party's presidential flagbearer for the 2027 polls, citing his track record. He urged Obi's supporters to remain calm and avoid actions that could undermine the party.
