The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has unveiled its governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the 2027 general elections, announcing candidates in 28 states across Nigeria.
The development is another major step in the party's preparations for the 2027 Nigerian elections, as political parties intensify their mobilisation and efforts to present credible candidates ahead of the polls.
Among the prominent names on the ADC list are former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, former Lagos governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, former Delta governorship candidate Great Ogboru, former Kaduna governorship candidate Isa Mohammed Ashiru, and Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita.
The list was released by the party's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Friday, September 4, 2026.
ADC fields candidates in 28 states
The decision to field governorship candidates in 28 states highlights the ADC's ambition to establish a strong presence in the 2027 elections beyond the presidential contest.
In Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour will contest the governorship election on the ADC platform, with Gbadamosi Babatunde Olalere as his running mate.
Rhodes-Vivour, who was a major contender in the 2023 Lagos governorship election, is expected to attract considerable attention as political parties begin positioning themselves for another highly competitive contest in Nigeria's commercial capital.
In Kebbi State, former Justice Minister Abubakar Malami will contest the governorship election alongside Zagi Musa Mohammed.
Malami's candidacy is one of the most prominent on the list, given his previous position at the federal level and his experience in Nigerian politics.
In Delta State, Great Ogboru will fly the ADC flag with Afiari Gloria as his running mate, while Isa Mohammed Ashiru has been selected as the party's candidate in Kaduna State.
Halliru Jika gets ADC ticket in Bauchi
The ADC has selected Senator Halliru Dauda Jika as its governorship candidate in Bauchi State. His running mate is Sama'ila Mohammed Kabir.
Jika's emergence adds another prominent political figure to the ADC's growing list of candidates ahead of the 2027 governorship elections.
Other notable candidates include Herman Iorwase Hembe in Benue, Zakari Mohammed in Kwara, Ahmad Babba Kaita in Katsina and Brigadier General John Sunday Sura in Plateau State.
Full list of ADC governorship candidates
| State | Governorship Candidate | Deputy Candidate |
|---|---|---|
| Abia | Kalu Kalu Agu | Alozie Ogadinma Darlington |
| Adamawa | Modibbo Hammantukur Ribadu | Aguwa Kevin Iliya |
| Akwa Ibom | Akpanudoedehe John James | Nsien Mkpombuk Tommy |
| Bauchi | 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 Obodoeze 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 |
What the ADC list means for 2027
The unveiling of the candidates gives a clearer picture of the ADC's strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party's decision to contest governorship elections across 28 states suggests that it wants to build a nationwide electoral structure and provide an alternative to the established political parties.
The presence of politicians with previous electoral and government experience could also increase the visibility of the ADC as the political season progresses.
However, the candidates will have to translate their individual political profiles into effective grassroots mobilisation and voter support. The strength of the party's structures, campaign organisation and policy messages will likely play an important role in determining its performance at the polls.
Political realignment ahead of 2027
The ADC candidate announcement comes amid a period of significant political realignment in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.
With opposition politicians exploring new platforms and parties seeking to expand their influence, the contest for state government houses could become increasingly competitive.
States such as Lagos, Kaduna, Kebbi, Bauchi and Delta are likely to attract particular attention because of the profiles of the ADC candidates and the existing political dynamics in those states.
As preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum, more candidates, alliances and campaign strategies are expected to emerge across the country.
The ADC's unveiling of its governorship candidates in 28 states therefore represents an important development in the evolving political landscape ahead of Nigeria's next general elections.
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