NDC Says It Has Structures and Governorship Candidates Nationwide Ahead of 2027

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected claims that it is without governorship candidates in 12 states ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that it has completed nominations in all 28 states where governorship polls will be conducted.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the party described the reports circulating in sections of the media and on social platforms as “false and malicious,” arguing that they were designed to undermine its growing political presence across the country.

The NDC maintained that it is fully prepared for the 2027 elections and has functional party structures in every part of Nigeria. According to the party, suggestions that it is confined to a particular region are inaccurate, as it claims to have candidates, supporters and organizational networks in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

To reinforce its position, the party released the names of candidates in the 12 states it said had been wrongly identified as lacking governorship nominees. Those listed include Senator Kabiru Marafa for Zamfara, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Sanusi Kasim (retd.) for Borno, Hon. John Odey for Cross River, Babanta Michael Okon for Akwa Ibom, Nwofe Boniface for Ebonyi and Yakubu Solomon Ndam for Plateau, alongside nominees for the remaining affected states.

The clarification comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 electoral cycle following the publication of governorship candidates by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Governorship elections are scheduled to take place in 28 states, making them a crucial battleground alongside the presidential and National Assembly contests.

The NDC, one of the emerging opposition parties seeking to expand its national footprint, has increasingly pushed back against narratives questioning its organizational strength. Party officials argue that candidate selection and state-level structures are central to proving its viability as a nationwide political movement rather than a regional platform.

While the dispute centres on candidate nominations rather than electoral outcomes, it highlights the importance of perception in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape. As campaigns gather momentum, parties are not only competing for votes but also for credibility, with organizational reach and nationwide representation likely to become defining themes ahead of the 2027 elections.