More standard-bearers of the Peoples Democratic Party for executive and legislative positions have emerged, ahead of the 2027 general election.
Similarly, the African Democratic Congress has held governorship primaries across states, with Dr Mohammed Kpautagi emerging as its governorship candidate in Niger State for the 2027 general elections.
In Gombe, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, on Tuesday, emerged as the governorship candidate of the PDP in the state following his affirmation by party delegates.
Announcing the result, the Chairman of the PDP Gombe Electoral Panel, Gregory Yenlong, declared Pantami the party’s sole candidate and affirmed him in line with the party’s guidelines.
This comes about a week after his withdrawal from the All Progressives Congress primaries in the state.
“Our candidate is Prof Isa Pantami. He is the sole candidate. Based on the guidelines of the election, he obtained the following votes: Gombe North, 16,781; Gombe Central, 12,752; and Gombe South, 23,422,” Yenlong said.
He added, “The total number of votes is 52,955. By the guidelines, it is my singular privilege to present Isa Pantami for affirmation.”
In his acceptance speech, Pantami described his emergence as an opportunity to serve the people rather than pursue personal ambition.
“The acceptance is not about ambition, but rather about serving humanity. The acceptance is not about Isa, but about Gombe State,” he said.
According to him, his administration would ensure fairness and equal treatment for residents across the 11 local government areas of the state.
However, one of the PDP governorship aspirants, Abdulkadir Saleh, rejected Pantami’s emergence as the party’s governorship candidate.
Addressing journalists at his residence in Gombe, Saleh described Pantami’s emergence as unfair to other aspirants who, according to him, purchased nomination forms and participated in the processes outlined by the party.
He said the primary election earlier scheduled for Sunday was postponed to Tuesday, adding that he was surprised to learn that Pantami had emerged as the party’s candidate.
“While we were waiting for the primary election to be conducted last Sunday, it was suddenly announced that it had been moved to Tuesday.
“Without any explanation from the party leadership, we woke up this morning to the news that Isa Pantami had emerged as the PDP governorship candidate,” he said.
Saleh also questioned Pantami’s participation in the PDP primary, alleging that he had earlier contested in the APC governorship primary conducted on May 21, 2026.
He vowed to challenge the outcome of the primary election in court and urged his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding while his legal team pursues the matter.
“I condemn in the strongest terms what I consider an injustice against other aspirants and me. My legal team is already working on the matter, and we will seek redress through the appropriate legal channels,” he stated.
In Plateau State, Kefas Ropshik emerged as the standard-bearer of the PDP after winning a closely contested primary election.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by his media team.
Ropshik reportedly polled 19,938 votes to defeat three other aspirants in the primaries held with delegates drawn from the 17 local government areas of the state.
The outcome positions Ropshik as the party’s candidate to challenge incumbent Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who is expected to seek a second term.
In his acceptance speech, Ropshik expressed appreciation to party leaders, delegates and supporters, dedicating his victory to God.
He said, “I accept this mandate with a heart full of gratitude to God Almighty, whose grace has sustained this journey from the humble soil of Garram in Kanke to this defining moment in our state’s political history.”
The PDP candidate said his ambition was driven by what he described as a “Plateau First” philosophy, adding that his administration, if elected, would focus on security, youth empowerment, economic growth and inclusive governance.
According to him, the victory represents a collective aspiration for a better Plateau State.
He said, “I humbly accept the nomination of our great party with gratitude and a renewed commitment to place Plateau First. This victory belongs to the people, and together we will build a united, secure, and prosperous Plateau. The journey begins now,” he stated.
Ropshik, who hails from Garram in Kanke Local Government Area, said he understood the challenges facing ordinary citizens and pledged to prioritise development and transparency in governance.
A major highlight of his acceptance speech was his pledge to serve only one term if elected governor, which he said was in line with the state’s zoning arrangement.
He said, “In line with the already laid out zoning agreement that keeps the peace, stability and unity of the Plateau people together, I intend to spend just four years in government, which, by the special grace of God, will usher in the impact of an eight-year administration.”
The pledge was greeted with applause from delegates and supporters.
Ropshik also called on other aspirants to support his candidacy, saying the party must remain united ahead of the general election.
In Kano, Muhammad Dalhatu emerged as the governorship candidate of the PDP, defeating Mohammed Abacha, the eldest son of the late former Head of State, Gen Sani Abacha, in the party’s primary election.
Announcing the results on Monday, the Chairman of the PDP Kano State Governorship Primary Election Committee, Umar Hadejia, said the exercise was conducted peacefully and in line with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.
According to the result announced, Muhammad Abacha polled 749 votes, while Muhammad Dalhatu scored 2,233 votes to emerge as the winner.
Recall that Abacha had previously contested the party’s ticket in 2023 but lost to Sadiq Wali following an intense legal battle between two parallel factions of the party at the time.
Abacha was on the ballot as the sole Kano governorship candidate of the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance during the 2019 election in Kano.
In Bauchi, the PDP faction loyal to the national chairman, Abdurrahman Muhammad and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, alleged that political thugs attacked its governorship candidate affirmation event in Bauchi State.
Addressing journalists in Bauchi on Monday, the national ex officio of the party, Muhammad Sabo, claimed that the attackers vandalised vehicles and damaged party property during and after the programme.
According to him, three suspected thugs riding on a motorcycle stormed the venue while the event was ongoing on Sunday and smashed the windscreens and side glasses of five vehicles before fleeing.
He said, “The thugs, three in number, came on a motorbike and smashed the windscreen and side glasses of five vehicles and ran away.”
Sabo further alleged that after the event, another group of hoodlums attacked the party secretariat and destroyed some billboards.
“This happened while people were leaving the venue after the programme. Some other thugs, who were not part of our gathering, went to the secretariat and scattered some of the billboards,” he said.
The PDP chieftain condemned the development, describing it as a dangerous trend capable of heating the political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He, however, stopped short of directly accusing any individual or political group of sponsoring the attack.
“We don’t want to make direct allegations against anybody or say a particular person sponsored the thugs. But we want to state categorically that this is a bad scenario that should not start happening at this early stage before the general elections,” he said.
Sabo claimed that similar incidents were common during previous election cycles, especially when political tension heightened.
He called on Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed to ensure a peaceful political environment for all parties.
“We wish to call upon the ruling party in the state, especially the governor, to, in the interest of peace, provide a peaceful platform for every political party to conduct its affairs without hindrance,” he stated.
He urged political actors to caution their supporters against violence, warning that such actions could trigger instability in the state.
“This scenario is capable of generating violence, which we do not want to happen in Bauchi State,” he added.
Sabo confirmed that a formal complaint had been lodged with the police in the state.
“A formal complaint has been lodged with the police,” he said.
He nevertheless maintained that the party was not yet attributing blame to any sponsor, noting that youths sometimes act independently.
“We don’t want to believe anybody sent them to do it. Sometimes these youths overreact without instructions from anybody. But if anybody is behind it, such actions should stop immediately,” he added.
The faction, on Sunday, affirmed Usman Supi as the party’s governorship candidate in Bauchi State.
For the ADC governorship primaries, Kpautagi was declared the winner after defeating Idrisu Makanta in 24 out of the 25 local government areas of the state.
The Niger State Returning Officer and Secretary of the ADC Primary Election Committee, Ibrahim Mohammed, announced on Tuesday during the official declaration of the primary election results for aspirants for governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly elections in the state.
Kpautagi secured a total of 67,924 votes while his opponent, Usman, scored 27,769 votes across the 25 local government areas of the state.
The returning officer also announced the winners of the three senatorial seats.
They are Shehu Mohammed (Niger North), Muktar Ahmed (Niger East) and Baba Agaie (Niger South).
The Niger Reps candidates that emerged are Mohammed Abubakar (Bida/Gbako/Katcha), Ado Abubakar (Tafa/Gurara/Suleja), Mohammed Abubakar (Mashegu/Wushishi/Kontagora/Mariga), Abubakar Takuma (Lavun/Edati/Mokwa) and Mohammed Abdullahi (Magama/Rijau).
Others are Shitu Adamu (Lapai/Agaie), Jailani Inuwa (Evuti, Agwara/Borgu), Alhaji Mohammed (Chanchaga), Abdulmali Kabir (Bosso/Paikoro) and Ismaila Ibrahim (Shiroro/Munya/Rafi).
Also, the Niger State House of Assembly members representing the 25 local government areas of Niger State include Nasiru Waziri for Kontagora 1, Bawa Joshua (Munya), Auta Solomon (Tafa), Nuhu Ibrahim (Gurara), Abdullahi Imam (Wushishi), Isah Mohammed (Edati), Abubakar Garba Mohammed (Suleja), Mairogo Hamisu (Borgu), Idris Ibrahim (Shiroro) and Riyanu Suleiman (Kontagora 2).
Declaring the results, the state returning officer, Mohammed, declared all the candidates as winners of their various positions, having met the required party constitution and guidelines for the elective offices.
In Ogun State, the ADC, under the factional leadership of Emmanuel Famojuro, on Tuesday, said Dr Biodun Ogundipe, an artificial intelligence expert based in Canada, is the winner of the party’s governorship primary.
In a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Olumide Onabajo, the party condemned what it described as an unauthorised publication claiming that one Adebimpe Adelowo had announced Jimi Lawal, a former aide to ex-Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, as the winner of the governorship primary.
Adelowo, identified as the Secretary of the Ogun State Primary Election Committee set up by the party leadership, had on Monday at the state party secretariat announced Lawal as the winner of the party’s governorship primary after polling 19,428 votes to defeat Ogundipe with 5,775 votes and Dr Marie Odusina, who had 4,825 votes.
The party described the action of Adelowo as null and void, claiming that he is not a member of the committee saddled with the responsibility of conducting the governorship primary in the state.
The statement partly reads: “The attention of the African Democratic Congress, Ogun State Chapter, has been drawn to a misleading and unauthorised publication claiming that one Adebimpe Adelowo announced Jimi Lawal as the winner of the Ogun State Governorship Primary Election. We hereby state categorically that the said announcement is null, void, misleading and of no effect whatsoever.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Adebimpe Adelowo was not a member of the duly constituted electoral committee sent to Ogun State by the national leadership of our great party to conduct the governorship primary election.
“Therefore, he lacks the authority, legitimacy and constitutional backing to announce any result on behalf of the party.”
The party stated that its authentic governorship primary election was peacefully and successfully conducted across all wards in the state under the supervision of the properly constituted electoral committee recognised by the national leadership of the party.
It added that: “At the conclusion of the transparent and credible exercise, Dr Biodun Ogundipe, popularly known as BCO, emerged victorious and was duly declared winner of the governorship primary election. The exercise was free, fair, credible and witnessed by party leaders, members, security agencies, observers and stakeholders across Ogun State.
“We strongly condemn every attempt by unauthorised individuals to mislead party members and create confusion within the public space through the circulation of fabricated results and false declarations.
“Such actions are capable of undermining internal democracy and causing unnecessary tension within the party.”
The party said Ogundipe is committed to massive investment in youth empowerment and job creation through technology, agriculture and industrial development, as well as improvement of healthcare delivery and access to quality medical services across rural and urban communities, among others.
Recall that the Chairman of the Electoral Committee for the state, Adeniyi Adams, had on Monday announced Ogundipe, fondly called BCO, as the winner of the party’s governorship primary, having scored 9,370 votes to defeat Otunba Lawal, who got 6,812 votes, alongside Dr Marie Odusina, who polled 2,349 votes.
Other ADC primaries saw a former House of Representatives member for Vandeikya/Ushongo federal constituency, Herman Hembe, emerge as the governorship candidate of the ADC in Benue State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former lawmaker emerged through consensus during the party’s governorship primary conducted in Benue State.
Speaking after his emergence, Hembe appreciated party members for entrusting him with the mandate and promised not to take it for granted.
He said, “The ADC is a party that is on a mission and has always been poised to win. I am excited about the primaries, and I’m excited about the outcomes.
“And I’m thankful to all those people who supported me to emerge in this manner. The mandate was overwhelming. And I want to assure the people who nominated me in this manner that I will not let them down, as I intend to bring peace to our communities and guarantee fiscal autonomy.
“To our local governments, I intend to bring about transparency in the running of state affairs and remove all these lies that pervade our system.
“I also intend to remove the fights that have become a part of our system and to organise governance that is beneficial to the people and not only to a few people who feel like they either made people or are the reason why they are there, and who have continued to fight and neglect the people we should actually be serving.”
Hembe berated the administration in the state for its lip service to the security challenges confronting the state and promised to address them headlong if elected in 2027.
The Returning Officer of the ADC gubernatorial primary in Borno State, Adamu Mustapha, announced Babagana Buhari as the winner of the election in the state.
Returning officer Adamu Mustapha said Babagana Buhari emerged after polling a total of 71,867 votes to beat two other aspirants.
He said: “The following is the aggregation of the 27 local government areas: the total number of registered voters is 102,900. The total number of accredited voters is 85,567. The total valid votes are 74,933, while the total number of invalid votes is 74,933.
He said: “Babagana Buhari polled 71,867 votes, Sanusi Kashim Ibrahim scored 1,033, while Attom Muhammad Magira scored 4,033.”
He declared: “By the power vested in me by the constitution of the ADC and other regulations in the state, I hereby declare Babagana Buhari, who scored the highest votes with 71,867, as the winner of the contest of the Borno State ADC gubernatorial direct primaries.”
The party had recently concluded plans to field three consensus candidates for the Borno Central, South and North Senatorial seats.
According to the party, Baba Gana Zanna is to contest Borno Central, Idris Mamman will contest Borno South, while Bulama Fugu Ibrahim will battle for the Borno North seat in the National Assembly.
Addressing newsmen afterwards, the Organising Secretary of the ADC in Borno, Muhammed Bolori, said the party is confident of electoral victory.
“For the senatorial position, there is no contest. All three consensus candidates, Baba Gana Zanna, Idris Mamman and Bulama Fugu Ibrahim have been affirmed. There is no opposition in that. We have reached a consensus,” he stressed.
