By Julius Peter
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed reports claiming that the party does not have governorship candidates in 12 states ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that it has duly nominated candidates in all 28 states where governorship elections are scheduled to hold.
The party made its position known in a statement issued on Saturday, September 5, 2026, by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, Esq., in response to what it described as false reports and deliberate propaganda circulating in sections of the media and on social media.
According to the NDC, the reports alleging that it lacks governorship candidates in 12 states are false and intended to create the impression that the party lacks the organisational structure and political presence required to contest elections nationwide.
“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 said.
The NDC further declared that it is “fully prepared, fully structured, and fully on ground” across the country, stressing that it should not be viewed as a regional political organisation.
The party said it has structures and supporters across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, describing itself as a national political movement preparing to challenge the established political order in the 2027 elections.
In an attempt to set the record straight, the party released the names of individuals it identified as its governorship candidates in the 12 states allegedly omitted from earlier reports.
They are Senator Kabiru Marafa in Zamfara State; retired Rear Admiral Ibrahim Sanusi Kasim in Borno; Hon. John Odey in Cross River; Babanta Michael Okon in Akwa Ibom; Nwofe Boniface in Ebonyi; and Yakubu Solomon Ndam in Plateau State.
Others listed by the party are Ilu-Barde Aliyu in Katsina; Alhaji Umar Usman Besse in Kebbi; Jonga Yahaya Gabakau in Yobe; Dutse Aminu Sani in Jigawa; Prof. Yahaya Mohammed Sani in Taraba; and Abdu Sidi Bomi in Niger State.
The party maintained that the publication of the names was necessary to counter what it described as misinformation concerning its preparedness for the 2027 governorship contests.
The NDC also appealed to media organisations, journalists, bloggers and other content creators to verify political claims before publishing them.
The party argued that inaccurate reports could undermine public confidence in the media and democratic institutions, urging journalists to scrutinise their sources and establish the facts before disseminating information.
“Journalism thrives on truth, not rumours,” the statement said, adding that the party would remain focused on what it described as issue-based politics despite the alleged misinformation.
The development comes as political parties begin intensifying preparations for the 2027 general elections, with candidate selection, party structures and nationwide mobilisation expected to become increasingly prominent as the electoral cycle progresses.
Beyond rejecting the reports about its governorship candidates, the NDC used the statement to present itself as an alternative to the existing political establishment.
The party said Nigerians were dissatisfied with what it described as the “old order” and “recycled failures,” arguing that the NDC was positioned to provide a new direction for the country.
It said its campaign would be anchored on security, employment opportunities and accountability, while promising to present what it described as credible candidates and a clear manifesto ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The NDC is the preferred party to salvage Nigeria,” the party declared, calling on Nigerians to support what it described as a “rescue mission” ahead of the elections.
The party, however, did not provide in the statement details of the formal nomination or electoral documentation backing the candidacies listed, leaving such claims subject to verification against the official records of the relevant electoral authorities and the applicable electoral timetable.
The NDC concluded by reiterating that it was prepared to contest the 2027 elections nationwide and urged Nigerians to join its political movement.
