By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed reports that it lacks governorship candidates in 12 states ahead of the 2027 elections, saying the claim is false propaganda. The party made the clarification through its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, in a statement. It said the report aims to undermine its growing national support and create doubts about its election readiness.
NDC Says It Has Candidates in All 28 States
The NDC said it has duly nominated governorship candidates in all 28 states holding governorship elections in 2027.
The party described reports suggesting otherwise as malicious and misleading. It also accused unnamed individuals of spreading deliberate propaganda against its political movement.
“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.
To counter the report, the NDC released the names of candidates in the 12 states mentioned in the alleged publication.
NDC Releases Names of 12 Candidates
The candidates listed by the party include Senator Kabiru Marafa in Zamfara State.
Others include Rtd Rear Admiral Ibrahim Sanusi Kasim in Borno State and Hon. John Odey in Cross River State.
The list also includes Babanta Michael Okon in Akwa Ibom and Nwofe Boniface in Ebonyi State.
The party named Yakubu Solomon Ndam as its candidate in Plateau State.
Other candidates include Ilu-Barde Aliyu in Katsina and Alhaji Umar Usman Besse in Kebbi.
The remaining names are Jonga Yahaya Gabakau in Yobe and Dutse Aminu Sani in Jigawa.
The party also listed Prof. Yahaya Mohammed Sani in Taraba and Abdu Sidi Bomi in Niger State.
NDC Rejects Claims It Is a Regional Party
The NDC also rejected suggestions that it operates mainly as a regional political platform.
Director said the party has established structures across Nigeria.
“Our party is fully prepared, fully structured, and fully on ground in every state of the federation,” he said.
According to him, the NDC has candidates, structures and supporters across all 36 states.
He added that the party also maintains structures in the Federal Capital Territory.
“The NDC is not a regional party. We are a national movement,” Director said.
Party Urges Media to Verify Reports
The NDC also urged journalists and media organisations to verify information before publishing reports about its activities.
The party extended the warning to bloggers and social media content creators.
It said unverified reports could damage public confidence in journalism and democracy.
“Journalism thrives on truth, not rumors,” the party said.
It urged media practitioners to scrutinise their sources before publishing political claims.
The NDC also said it would remain focused on issue-based politics.
NDC Targets 2027 Elections
Meanwhile, the party positioned itself as an alternative to Nigeria’s existing political establishment.
It said many Nigerians have grown tired of what it called the “old order.”
The party also criticised what it described as “recycled failures” in the country’s political system.
According to the NDC, its candidates and manifesto offer a different political direction.
It highlighted security, job creation and accountability as key areas of its agenda.
The party said these priorities would guide its campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.
NDC Calls on Nigerians to Join Its Movement
The NDC urged Nigerians to support its political movement ahead of the elections.
It described itself as the preferred platform to “salvage Nigeria” in 2027.
“Nigerians are tired of the old order. They are tired of recycled failures,” the party said.
The NDC added that it was ready to “rescue and rebuild” the country.
It also promised to remain focused on its political agenda despite what it called sponsored falsehoods.
“The rescue mission has started,” the party declared.
