2027 elections: ADC unveils governorship, deputy candidates in 28 states *Full list

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has unveiled its governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the 2027 general elections in 28 states across Nigeria.

Among the notable names on the party’s list are former Lagos State governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, former Kaduna State governorship candidate Isa Ashiru and former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

The party also selected former Delta State governorship candidate Great Ogboru and Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita of Katsina State to contest the 2027 governorship election under its platform.

The candidates were announced in a statement issued by the party on Friday, with the ADC saying the flag bearers represented its commitment to providing Nigerians with credible leadership and a “real alternative” in the 2027 elections.

A statement by the party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, which was also shared on X, contained the list of candidates.

Notable candidates

Other prominent figures on the list 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 retired Nigerian Army officer Brigadier General John Sunday Sura in Plateau State.

In Lagos State, Rhodes-Vivour will contest the governorship election with Gbadamosi Babatunde Olalere as his running mate.

Ashiru will fly the ADC flag in Kaduna alongside Kantiok Irmiya Ishaku, while Ogboru will contest in Delta with Afiari Gloria as his deputy.

Kaita will contest in Katsina with Aminu Yar’adua Ahmed as his running mate, while Malami will contest the Kebbi governorship election alongside Zagi Musa Mohammed.

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

Full list of ADC governorship 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 – Senator 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 – Senator 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: Governor – Nuhu Angbazo; Deputy Governor – Ahmed Yusuf.

Niger: Governor – Dr. Mohammed Kpautagi; Deputy Governor – Musa Mamman.

Ogun: Governor – Biodun Collins Ogundipe; Deputy Governor – Muraina Oluwaranti Oluyemi.

Oyo: Governor – Taofeek Adegboyega Adegoke; Deputy Governor – Wahab Adeniyi.

Plateau: Governor – Brigadier General John Sunday Sura; Deputy Governor – Pwajok-Kele Chundung Bitrus.

Rivers: Governor – Gabriel Pidomson; Deputy Governor – Okumgba David Amapakaye.

Sokoto: Governor – Manir Mohammad Daniya; Deputy Governor – Isah Bello Ambarura.

Taraba: Governor – Abubakar Umar Tutare; Deputy Governor – Kwetishe Haruna Kwenyan.

Yobe: Governor – Kassim G. Gaidam; Deputy Governor – Kori Lawan Mohammed.

Zamfara: Governor – Shinkafi Bilyaminu Yusuf; Deputy Governor – Muhammad Abdulmuddalib Auwal.

ADC targets 2027 elections

The ADC said the candidates would carry its banner and represent its commitment to offering Nigerians an alternative in the 2027 general elections.

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

Governorship campaigns are expected to commence on September 9, 2026, as political parties and their candidates begin preparations for the elections.