2027: 160 Candidates Jostle For Guber Seats In 11 States

…11 Women Seek Guber Seats, A/Ibom Leads BY AZA MSUE, ACHOR ABIMAJE, LONGTONG YAKUBU, INIOBONG EKPONTA, FELIX IGBEKOYI, BABAJI USMAN BABAJI, ADEBAYO WAHEED, RICHARD NDOMA, AHMED TAHIR, ABDULLAHI OLESIN, and FEMI OYEWESO No fewer than 160 candidates from various political parties are jostling for the governorship seats in 11 states as the 2027 elections draw […]

…11 Women Seek Guber Seats, A/Ibom Leads

BY AZA MSUE, ACHOR ABIMAJE, LONGTONG YAKUBU, INIOBONG EKPONTA, FELIX IGBEKOYI, BABAJI USMAN BABAJI, ADEBAYO WAHEED, RICHARD NDOMA, AHMED TAHIR, ABDULLAHI OLESIN, and FEMI OYEWESO

No fewer than 160 candidates from various political parties are jostling for the governorship seats in 11 states as the 2027 elections draw closer, setting the stage for a keen contest for control of the states’ executive mansions.

In Benue State, the governorship race is shaping up as a contest involving 12 political parties, with two women emerging among the candidates cleared to contest for the state’s top seat. They are Roseline Ada Chenge of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) and Mercy Ujah Enegole of the Action Peoples Party (APP), whose inclusion in the final list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) brings a female dimension to the 2027 governorship contest.

The 10 male candidates include Benue State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia; Michael Aondoakaa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); and Prof. Terhemba Shija of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Others are Herman Iorwase Hembe of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nyibiam Kwaghshir of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Adagba Iorhen of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Dominic Ochenehi of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Mathias Terwase Byuan of the Labour Party (LP), Terese Paul Wombo of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) and Simon Ocheme Ogbe of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Although the list was expected to feature 13 governorship candidates, the name of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) flagbearer, Sebastine Hon (SAN), was missing.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend, a resident of Gyado Villa, Makurdi, Donald Terfa, identified the incumbent Governor Hyacinth Alia of the APC and Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) of the PDP as the leading contenders in the race.

Another resident, Aondona Tersuugh, said the contest would likely be between Alia and Aondoakaa, barring any last-minute political realignment.

In Plateau State, 15 candidates are vying for the governorship seat, with Bingel Haruna Philomina of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) emerging as the only female contender.

Speaking with our correspondent in Jos, a youth leader in Jos South LGA, Comrade Ayuba David, and Mrs Yop Yohanna expressed support for the incumbent governor, citing the need for continuity.

In Kano State, 20 political parties are fielding candidates for the 2027 governorship election, but none of those listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is a woman.

Among the candidates are incumbent Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Other parties in the race are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Young Progressives Party (YPP), Action Alliance (AA), African Action Congress (AAC), Action Democratic Party (ADC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Action Peoples Party (APP), Boot Party, People’s Redemption Party (PRP), African Peoples Party (APP), All Allied Peoples Movement (AAPM), Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the New Democratic Party (NDP).

Despite the participation of 20 parties, the absence of women among the listed governorship candidates highlights the continued challenge of women’s representation in elective political leadership, especially in the north.

Meanwhile, residents who spoke on the forthcoming election expressed divergent views on the likely winner, with some backing the incumbent based on his performance and others predicting a keen contest.

A resident, Umar Ibrahim, expressed confidence that Yusuf would win re-election, citing what he described as the governor’s developmental strides and infrastructural projects across the state.

According to him, Kano has witnessed a new look under the incumbent administration, adding that many residents would want the governor to continue with the development projects.

He said the governor’s performance could give him an advantage over other contenders in the race.

However, another resident, Abdulkadir Bala, predicted a tight contest between Yusuf and Gwarzo, citing the support enjoyed by the NDC candidate from the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

Bala noted that the movement played a significant role in Yusuf’s emergence as governor in 2023, arguing that its political influence could shape the outcome of the next election.

He described the contest between the two candidates as a 50-50 race, saying either could emerge victorious depending on how political support translates into votes.

In Akwa Ibom State, although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared no fewer than 21 political parties with candidates for the 2027 gubernatorial poll, LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that most of the contenders are pretenders just waiting to withdraw from the race for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and incumbent governor, Umo Eno.

Among the top contestants with structures on the ground, and determination to give Governor Eno a tough run for the coveted seat, it was gathered, are the serial governorship contender since 2011, and former national secretary of the APC, Senator John James Akpanudoehe, who is vying on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Hon Michael Enyong, a former House of Representatives member for Uyo federal constituency, going into the race on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to the INEC list, five women are in the race with Victoria Akpan of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Stella Monday of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), as front-liners, among others.

In Delta State, 16 political parties are fielding candidates in gubernatorial polls in, with only one political party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA) fielding woman.

James Oyibo, in his submission said the incumbent governor, Sheriff Oborevwori of the APC will win.

Similarly, Paul Enebeli corroborated that APC is on ground in the state while other parties are not too visible, stating that Governor Oborevwori will carry the day.

In Gombe State, 16 political parties are also fielding candidates for the 2027 governorship election, but none has presented a woman for the top position.

Two women, however, featured in only deputy governorship positions.

The Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) has nominated Joy Samuel as its deputy governorship candidate, while the National Democratic Party (NDP) has Mariyatu Aliyu Sulaiman for the same position. The remaining parties have male candidates for both the governorship and deputy governorship positions.

Speaking on the likely outcome of the election, a Gombe resident, Hamman Sale, predicted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Jamilu Gwamna, could emerge victorious if Professor Isa Ali Pantami fails to secure a place on the ballot due to his ongoing legal battles. According to him, Pantami’s absence could reshape the contest and improve Gwamna’s chances of winning the governorship election.

Another resident, Sahabo Maina, said the outcome of the 2027 presidential election could significantly influence the governorship contest in Gombe State. He argued that if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar wins the presidential election, Bala Tinka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) could also benefit, while a victory for President Bola Tinubu could strengthen Gwamna’s chances under the APC platform.

Maina, however, said Pantami’s participation could make the race unpredictable, noting that many residents might rally behind the former minister if he appears on the ballot. “But let me tell you, if Pantami is on the ballot, anything can happen. Gombe people may vote him,” he said.

In Oyo State, only 16 political parties are fielding governorship candidates in the 2027 general election. Out of the number, there is no female.

Meanwhile, residents have expressed divergent views over who is likely to win the election.

While some of them believe that there should be continuity with what Governor Seyi Makinde has started, others said there was the need for a change.

In Cross River, the final list released by INEC on October 11, 2026, showed that eight political parties have been cleared for the 2027 poll.

The parties are All Progressives Congress (APC), All Peoples Party (APP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), National Rescue Movement (NRM), Labour Party (LP), Action Alliance (AA), Action Democratic Party (ADP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

INEC omitted ADC and NDC from the final list, and barred the two parties from participating in the 2027 governorship polls.

The two women who would participate in the polls are Chigbe Chioma Vivian of National Rescue Movement (NRM) and Joelyne Ita Hogan Bassey of Action Democratic party (ADP)

A resident of Çàlabar South local government area of Cross River State, Miss Stella Effiom, believes that incumbent Governor Bassey Otu of the APC will win due to incumbency, control of party structure across 18 LGAs and federal backing.

In a similar vein, a civil servant, Mr Kenn Edem, said “Otu has done roads in Calabar and his wife’s projects have touched women, so people will still vote him.”

On the contrary, a resident of Ikom local government area, Mrs Manko Agbor, tipped the PDP candidate, Arthur Jarvis Archibong to cause an upset.

Similarly, a teacher in Etung local government area in Cross River State, Mr Luis Bessong, said PDP still has strong grassroots presence at Cross River Central, adding that youths want change because of hardship and issues around the Ikom Boki-Obudu highway which the APC-led administration had failed to address.

In Ogoja/Yala, opinion is split. An Okada rider, Mr Thomas Ushi also predicted that Arthur Jarvis is likely to clinch power on the basis of sympathy votes that are likely to come from young people.

On the other hand, Clifford Effiong said APC remains favourite because no other party fielded candidates for all 36 elective positions like the APC did, which he said, means that the APC is better organised than any other party.

In Ogun State, only one woman is among the 13 governorship candidates cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to contest the year 2027 election in the state.

The 58-years old woman, Layi Labode Halima will be flying the governorship flag of her political party on the platform of the Action Peoples Party (APP) in Ogun State.

With the exception of the embattled candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who is yet to be cleared, all other 12 guber contestants are however, male candidates who all will be plugging it out among themselves at the contest scheduled for February 6, 2027.

Ab initio, some of the residents, who spoke with LEADERSHIP Weekend said the Senator currently representing Ogun West Senatorial district at the National Assembly (NASS), Adeola Solomon Olamilekan, who is the guber candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) is however, said to have been highly favoured to emerge winner of the contest given the degree of acceptability and followership which his political party has been able to garner over the period.

Twelve candidates will be contesting the 2027 governorship election under various political parties in Kwara State.

The only woman governorship candidate in the state, Jaiyeola Motuntayo is contesting the election under the platform of APM.

Other gubernatorial candidates include Yakubu Danladi- Salihu(APC), Kolo Ezekel (AA), Zakari Mohammed (ADC), Adeshina Ajisafe(ADP), Sule Ajayi(APGA), Omotosho Bamidele IIlyita (APP), Abdulmumini Yinka Ajia (NDC), Shola Victor Abioye (NDP), Omokanye David Adetoyese (NNPP), Kawu Sulyman Bolakale (PDP) and Apaokagi Ridwan Saludeen (SDP).

Some residents who spoke with LEADERSHIP Weekend said they have preference for the APC guber candidate, Engr Yakubu Danladi-Salihu.

The respondents, Alhaja Islamiyyah Yusuf, Adamu Sabi Ibrahim and Engr Mohammed Gofe said they prefer Danladi-Salihu because he is from Kwara North which has not produced a governor since 1999.

Alhaja Islamiyyah Yusuf said she believes Danladi-Salihu would follow the footsteps of the incumbent governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in women and youths empowerment.

In Nasarawa State, 11 political parties are fielding candidates for the governorship election.

They include the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and the People’s Redemption Party (PRP).

Others include the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Action Democratic Party (ADP), the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), the Action Peoples Party (APP), the Labour Party (LP) and the National Rescue Movement (NRM).

Our correspondent reports that there is no woman in the lineup of contenders for the state’s topmost position.

A grain dealer at the Lafia Central Market , Malam Suleiman Ubandoma, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, Action Democratic Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Action Peoples Party, Boot Party, People’s Redemption Party, African Peoples Party, All Allied Peoples Movement, Democratic Leadership Alliance, Social Democratic Party and the New Democratic Party.