The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially uploaded the names of its 27 governorship candidates and their running mates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP), ahead of the commission’s August 8 deadline for the submission of candidates for the 2027 governorship elections.
The development marks a significant milestone in the party’s preparations for the off-cycle governorship elections, with the APC also confirming that it has successfully uploaded details of more than 60 per cent of its State House of Assembly candidates.
The list released by the party features a mix of incumbent governors seeking re-election, former lawmakers, ministers and other prominent politicians selected to fly the APC flag in their respective states.
Among the notable names are Obafemi Hamzat (Lagos), Solomon Adeola (Ogun), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Dikko Umar Radda (Katsina), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Ahmed Usman Ododo (Kogi), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli (Oyo) and Salihu Yakubu Danladi (Kwara).
Full List of APC Governorship Candidates
Obafemi Hamzat – Lagos
Solomon Adeola (Yayi) – Ogun
Kingsley Chinda – Rivers
Eric Opah – Abia
Mohammed Abubakar – Bauchi
Mustapha Gubio – Borno
Jamilu Gwamna – Gombe
Ahmed Aliyu Wadada – Nasarawa
Baba Malam Wali – Yobe
Hyacinth Alia – Benue
Bassey Otu – Cross River
Sheriff Oborevwori – Delta
Francis Nwifuru – Ebonyi
Peter Mbah – Enugu
Umar Namadi – Jigawa
Abba Kabir Yusuf – Kano
Dikko Umar Radda – Katsina
Umar Mohammed Bago – Niger
Nasir Idris – Kebbi
Caleb Mutfwang – Plateau
Dauda Lawal – Zamfara
Ahmed Usman Ododo – Kogi
Lucky Aiyedatiwa – Ondo
Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli – Oyo
Salihu Yakubu Danladi – Kwara
Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya – Gombe
Monday Okpebholo – Edo
The submission comes as political parties intensify preparations for the next round of governorship elections, with INEC expected to conclude the nomination process after the deadline before publishing the final list of candidates.
The successful upload of the candidates to the INEC portal confirms that the APC has met a key electoral requirement, paving the way for the party’s candidates to participate in the forthcoming polls, subject to the commission’s verification and publication of the final list.
Political observers expect other parties to complete their submissions before the deadline as the race for governorship seats across the affected states gathers momentum.
Source: The Nation Newspaper.