160 Candidates Jostle For Guber Seats In 11 States

…11 Girls Search 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 applicants from more than a few political events are jostling for the governorship seats in 11 states because the 2027 elections draw nearer, atmosphere the level for a willing contest for keep an eye on of the states’ govt mansions.

In Benue State, the governorship race is shaping up as a competition involving 12 political events, with two ladies rising a number of the applicants cleared to contest for the state’s most sensible seat. They’re Roseline Ada Chenge of the Other people’s Redemption Birthday celebration (PRP) and Mercy Ujah Enegole of the Motion Peoples Birthday celebration (APP), whose inclusion within the ultimate record launched by means of the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) brings a feminine size to the 2027 governorship contest.

The ten male applicants come with Benue State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia; Michael Aondoakaa of the Peoples Democratic Birthday celebration (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 Motion Democratic Birthday celebration (ADP), Adagba Iorhen of the Allied Peoples Motion (APM), Dominic Ochenehi of the Democratic Management Alliance (DLA), Mathias Terwase Byuan of the Labour Birthday celebration (LP), Terese Paul Wombo of the Nationwide Rescue Motion (NRM) and Simon Ocheme Ogbe of the Zenith Labour Birthday celebration (ZLP).

Even if the record was once anticipated to characteristic 13 governorship applicants, the title of the Social Democratic Birthday celebration (SDP) flagbearer, Sebastine Hon (SAN), was once lacking.

Talking with LEADERSHIP Weekend, a resident of Gyado Villa, Makurdi, Donald Terfa, known the incumbent Governor Hyacinth Alia of the APC and Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) of the PDP because the main contenders within the race.

Every other resident, Aondona Tersuugh, mentioned the competition would most probably be between Alia and Aondoakaa, barring any last-minute political realignment.

In Plateau State, 15 applicants are vying for the governorship seat, with Bingel Haruna Philomina of the Zenith Labour Birthday celebration (ZLP) rising as the one feminine contender.

Talking with our correspondent in Jos, a early life chief in Jos South LGA, Comrade Ayuba David, and Mrs Yop Yohanna expressed fortify for the incumbent governor, bringing up the will for continuity.

In Kano State, 20 political events are fielding applicants for the 2027 governorship election, however none of the ones indexed by means of the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) is a lady.

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

Different events within the race are the Peoples Democratic Birthday celebration (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Birthday celebration (NNPP), Zenith Labour Birthday celebration (ZLP), Labour Birthday celebration (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Younger Progressives Birthday celebration (YPP), Motion Alliance (AA), African Motion Congress (AAC), Motion Democratic Birthday celebration (ADC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Motion Peoples Birthday celebration (APP), Boot Birthday celebration, Other people’s Redemption Birthday celebration (PRP), African Peoples Birthday celebration (APP), All Allied Peoples Motion (AAPM), Democratic Management Alliance (DLA), Social Democratic Birthday celebration (SDP) and the New Democratic Birthday celebration (NDP).

In spite of the participation of 20 events, the absence of ladies a number of the indexed governorship applicants highlights the ongoing problem of ladies’s illustration in optional political management, particularly within the north.

In the meantime, citizens who spoke at the approaching election expressed divergent perspectives at the most probably winner, with some backing the incumbent according to his efficiency and others predicting a willing contest.

A resident, Umar Ibrahim, expressed self assurance that Yusuf would win re-election, bringing up what he described because the governor’s developmental strides and infrastructural tasks around the state.

In step with him, Kano has witnessed a brand new glance beneath the incumbent management, including that many citizens would need the governor to proceed with the improvement tasks.

He mentioned the governor’s efficiency may give him a bonus over different contenders within the race.

On the other hand, any other resident, Abdulkadir Bala, predicted a decent contest between Yusuf and Gwarzo, bringing up the fortify loved by means of the NDC candidate from the Kwankwasiyya Motion.

Bala famous that the motion performed a vital position in Yusuf’s emergence as governor in 2023, arguing that its political affect may form the result of the following election.

He described the competition between the 2 applicants as a 50-50 race, announcing both may emerge victorious relying on how political fortify interprets into votes.

 

In Akwa Ibom State, even supposing the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) has cleared no fewer than 21 political events with applicants for the 2027 gubernatorial ballot, LEADERSHIP Weekend accumulated that lots of the contenders are pretenders simply ready to withdraw from the race for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and incumbent governor, Umo Eno.

Some of the most sensible contestants with buildings at the flooring, and resolution to provide Governor Eno a tricky run for the coveted seat, it was once accumulated, are the serial governorship contender since 2011, and previous nationwide secretary of the APC, Senator John James Akpanudoehe, who’s vying at the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Hon Michael Enyong, a former Space of Representatives member for Uyo federal constituency, going into the race at the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

In step with the INEC record, 5 ladies are within the race with Victoria Akpan of the New Nigeria Peoples Birthday celebration (NNPP), and Stella Monday of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), as front-liners, amongst others.

In Delta State, 16 political events are fielding applicants in gubernatorial polls in, with just one political birthday celebration, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA) fielding lady.

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

In a similar way, Paul Enebeli corroborated that APC is on flooring within the state whilst different events aren’t too visual, pointing out that Governor Oborevwori will elevate the day.

In Gombe State, 16 political events also are fielding applicants for the 2027 governorship election, however none has introduced a lady for the highest place.

Two ladies, alternatively, featured in simplest deputy governorship positions.

The Democratic Management Alliance (DLA) has nominated Pleasure Samuel as its deputy governorship candidate, whilst the Nationwide Democratic Birthday celebration (NDP) has Mariyatu Aliyu Sulaiman for a similar place. The rest events have male applicants for each the governorship and deputy governorship positions.

Talking at the most probably consequence of the election, a Gombe resident, Hamman Sale, predicted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Jamilu Gwamna, may emerge victorious if Professor Isa Ali Pantami fails to safe a spot at the poll because of his ongoing criminal battles. In step with him, Pantami’s absence may reshape the competition and reinforce Gwamna’s probabilities of profitable the governorship election.

Every other resident, Sahabo Maina, mentioned the result of the 2027 presidential election may considerably affect 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) may additionally receive advantages, whilst a victory for President Bola Tinubu may support Gwamna’s possibilities beneath the APC platform.

Maina, alternatively, mentioned Pantami’s participation may make the race unpredictable, noting that many citizens would possibly rally in the back of the previous minister if he seems at the poll. “However let me let you know, if Pantami is at the poll, anything else can occur. Gombe other people would possibly vote him,” he mentioned.

In Oyo State, simplest 16 political events are fielding governorship applicants within the 2027 normal election. Out of the quantity, there is not any feminine.

In the meantime, citizens have expressed divergent perspectives over who’s more likely to win the election.

Whilst a few of them consider that there will have to be continuity with what Governor Seyi Makinde has began, others mentioned there was once the will for a metamorphosis.

In Move River, the overall record launched by means of INEC on October 11, 2026, confirmed that 8 political events were cleared for the 2027 ballot.

The events are All Progressives Congress (APC), All Peoples Birthday celebration (APP), Allied Peoples Motion (APM), Nationwide Rescue Motion (NRM), Labour Birthday celebration (LP), Motion Alliance (AA), Motion Democratic Birthday celebration (ADP) and Peoples Democratic Birthday celebration (PDP)

INEC ignored ADC and NDC from the overall record, and barred the 2 events from taking part within the 2027 governorship polls.

The 2 ladies who would take part within the polls are Chigbe Chioma Vivian of Nationwide Rescue Motion (NRM) and Joelyne Ita Hogan Bassey of Motion Democratic birthday celebration (ADP)

A resident of Çàlabar South native executive house of Move River State, Omit Stella Effiom, believes that incumbent Governor Bassey Otu of the APC will win because of incumbency, keep an eye on of birthday celebration construction throughout 18 LGAs and federal backing.

In a equivalent vein, a civil servant, Mr Kenn Edem, mentioned “Otu has achieved roads in Calabar and his spouse’s tasks have touched ladies, so other people will nonetheless vote him.”

To the contrary, a resident of Ikom native executive house, Mrs Manko Agbor, tipped the PDP candidate, Arthur Jarvis Archibong to reason an dissatisfied.

In a similar way, a trainer in Etung native executive house in Move River State, Mr Luis Bessong, mentioned PDP nonetheless has sturdy grassroots presence at Move River Central, including that youths need trade on account of hardship and problems across the Ikom Boki-Obudu freeway which the APC-led management had failed to deal with.

In Ogoja/Yala, opinion is divided. An Okada rider, Mr Thomas Ushi additionally predicted that Arthur Jarvis is more likely to clinch energy at the foundation of sympathy votes which are more likely to come from younger other people.

Alternatively, Clifford Effiong mentioned APC stays favorite as a result of no different birthday celebration fielded applicants for all 36 optional positions just like the APC did, which he mentioned, signifies that the APC is best organised than another birthday celebration.

In Ogun State, just one lady is one of the 13 governorship applicants cleared by means of the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) to contest the 12 months 2027 election within the state.

The 58-years previous lady, Layi Labode Halima might be flying the governorship flag of her political birthday celebration at the platform of the Motion Peoples Birthday celebration (APP) in Ogun State.

Excluding the embattled candidate of the Peoples Democratic Birthday celebration (PDP), who’s but to be cleared, all different 12 guber contestants are alternatively, male applicants who all might be plugging it out amongst themselves on the contest scheduled for February 6, 2027.

Ab initio, one of the most citizens, who spoke with LEADERSHIP Weekend mentioned the Senator recently representing Ogun West Senatorial district on the Nationwide Meeting (NASS), Adeola Solomon Olamilekan, who’s the guber candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) is alternatively, mentioned to were extremely favoured to emerge winner of the competition given the stage of acceptability and followership which his political birthday celebration has been in a position to garner over the duration.

Twelve applicants might be contesting the 2027 governorship election beneath more than a few political events in Kwara State.

The one lady governorship candidate within the state, Jaiyeola Motuntayo is contesting the election beneath the platform of APM.

Different gubernatorial applicants come with 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 citizens who spoke with LEADERSHIP Weekend mentioned they’ve desire for the APC guber candidate, Engr Yakubu Danladi-Salihu.

The respondents, Alhaja Islamiyyah Yusuf, Adamu Sabi Ibrahim and Engr Mohammed Gofe mentioned they like Danladi-Salihu as a result of he’s from Kwara North which has no longer produced a governor since 1999.

Alhaja Islamiyyah Yusuf mentioned she believes Danladi-Salihu would observe the footsteps of the incumbent governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in ladies and teens empowerment.

In Nasarawa State, 11 political events are fielding applicants for the governorship election.

They come with the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Birthday celebration (PDP), the Social Democratic Birthday celebration (SDP), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and the Other people’s Redemption Birthday celebration (PRP).

Others come with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Motion Democratic Birthday celebration (ADP), the Allied Peoples Motion (APM), the Motion Peoples Birthday celebration (APP), the Labour Birthday celebration (LP) and the Nationwide Rescue Motion (NRM).

Our correspondent reviews that there is not any lady within the lineup of contenders for the state’s topmost place.

A grain broker on the Lafia Central Marketplace , Malam Suleiman Ubandoma, Motion Alliance, African Motion Congress, Motion Democratic Birthday celebration, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Motion Peoples Birthday celebration, Boot Birthday celebration, Other people’s Redemption Birthday celebration, African Peoples Birthday celebration, All Allied Peoples Motion, Democratic Management Alliance, Social Democratic Birthday celebration and the New Democratic Birthday celebration.

In spite of the participation of 20 events, the absence of ladies a number of the indexed governorship applicants highlights the ongoing problem of ladies’s illustration in optional political management, particularly within the north.

In the meantime, citizens who spoke at the approaching election expressed divergent perspectives at the most probably winner, with some backing the incumbent according to his efficiency and others predicting a willing contest.

A resident, Umar Ibrahim, expressed self assurance that Yusuf would win re-election, bringing up what he described because the governor’s developmental strides and infrastructural tasks around the state.

In step with him, Kano has witnessed a brand new glance beneath the incumbent management, including that many citizens would need the governor to proceed with the improvement tasks.

He mentioned the governor’s efficiency may give him a bonus over different contenders within the race.

On the other hand, any other resident, Abdulkadir Bala, predicted a decent contest between Yusuf and Gwarzo, bringing up the fortify loved by means of the NDC candidate from the Kwankwasiyya Motion.

Bala famous that the motion performed a vital position in Yusuf’s emergence as governor in 2023, arguing that its political affect may form the result of the following election.

He described the competition between the 2 applicants as a 50-50 race, announcing both may emerge victorious relying on how political fortify interprets into votes.

In Akwa Ibom State, even supposing the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) has cleared no fewer than 21 political events with applicants for the 2027 gubernatorial ballot, LEADERSHIP Weekend accumulated that lots of the contenders are pretenders simply ready to withdraw from the race for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and incumbent governor, Umo Eno.

Some of the most sensible contestants with buildings at the flooring, and resolution to provide Governor Eno a tricky run for the coveted seat, it was once accumulated, are the serial governorship contender since 2011, and previous nationwide secretary of the APC, Senator John James Akpanudoehe, who’s vying at the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Hon Michael Enyong, a former Space of Representatives member for Uyo federal constituency, going into the race at the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

In step with the INEC record, 5 ladies are within the race with Victoria Akpan of the New Nigeria Peoples Birthday celebration (NNPP), and Stella Monday of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), as front-liners, amongst others.

In Delta State, 16 political events are fielding applicants in gubernatorial polls in, with just one political birthday celebration, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA) fielding lady.

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

In a similar way, Paul Enebeli corroborated that APC is on flooring within the state whilst different events aren’t too visual, pointing out that Governor Oborevwori will elevate the day.

In Gombe State, 16 political events also are fielding applicants for the 2027 governorship election, however none has introduced a lady for the highest place.

Two ladies, alternatively, featured in simplest deputy governorship positions.

The Democratic Management Alliance (DLA) has nominated Pleasure Samuel as its deputy governorship candidate, whilst the Nationwide Democratic Birthday celebration (NDP) has Mariyatu Aliyu Sulaiman for a similar place. The rest events have male applicants for each the governorship and deputy governorship positions.

Talking at the most probably consequence of the election, a Gombe resident, Hamman Sale, predicted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Jamilu Gwamna, may emerge victorious if Professor Isa Ali Pantami fails to safe a spot at the poll because of his ongoing criminal battles. In step with him, Pantami’s absence may reshape the competition and reinforce Gwamna’s probabilities of profitable the governorship election.

Every other resident, Sahabo Maina, mentioned the result of the 2027 presidential election may considerably affect 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) may additionally receive advantages, whilst a victory for President Bola Tinubu may support Gwamna’s possibilities beneath the APC platform.

Maina, alternatively, mentioned Pantami’s participation may make the race unpredictable, noting that many citizens would possibly rally in the back of the previous minister if he seems at the poll. “However let me let you know, if Pantami is at the poll, anything else can occur. Gombe other people would possibly vote him,” he mentioned.

In Oyo State, simplest 16 political events are fielding governorship applicants within the 2027 normal election. Out of the quantity, there is not any feminine.

In the meantime, citizens have expressed divergent perspectives over who’s more likely to win the election.

Whilst a few of them consider that there will have to be continuity with what Governor Seyi Makinde has began, others mentioned there was once the will for a metamorphosis.

In Move River, the overall record launched by means of INEC on October 11, 2026, confirmed that 8 political events were cleared for the 2027 ballot.

The events are All Progressives Congress (APC), All Peoples Birthday celebration (APP), Allied Peoples Motion (APM), Nationwide Rescue Motion (NRM), Labour Birthday celebration (LP), Motion Alliance (AA), Motion Democratic Birthday celebration (ADP) and Peoples Democratic Birthday celebration (PDP)

INEC ignored ADC and NDC from the overall record, and barred the 2 events from taking part within the 2027 governorship polls.

The 2 ladies who would take part within the polls are Chigbe Chioma Vivian of Nationwide Rescue Motion (NRM) and Joelyne Ita Hogan Bassey of Motion Democratic birthday celebration (ADP)

A resident of Çàlabar South native executive house of Move River State, Omit Stella Effiom, believes that incumbent Governor Bassey Otu of the APC will win because of incumbency, keep an eye on of birthday celebration construction throughout 18 LGAs and federal backing.

In a equivalent vein, a civil servant, Mr Kenn Edem, mentioned “Otu has achieved roads in Calabar and his spouse’s tasks have touched ladies, so other people will nonetheless vote him.”

To the contrary, a resident of Ikom native executive house, Mrs Manko Agbor, tipped the PDP candidate, Arthur Jarvis Archibong to reason an dissatisfied.

In a similar way, a trainer in Etung native executive house in Move River State, Mr Luis Bessong, mentioned PDP nonetheless has sturdy grassroots presence at Move River Central, including that youths need trade on account of hardship and problems across the Ikom Boki-Obudu freeway which the APC-led management had failed to deal with.

In Ogoja/Yala, opinion is divided. An Okada rider, Mr Thomas Ushi additionally predicted that Arthur Jarvis is more likely to clinch energy at the foundation of sympathy votes which are more likely to come from younger other people.

Alternatively, Clifford Effiong mentioned APC stays favorite as a result of no different birthday celebration fielded applicants for all 36 optional positions just like the APC did, which he mentioned, signifies that the APC is best organised than another birthday celebration.

In Ogun State, just one lady is one of the 13 governorship applicants cleared by means of the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) to contest the 12 months 2027 election within the state.

The 58-years previous lady, Layi Labode Halima might be flying the governorship flag of her political birthday celebration at the platform of the Motion Peoples Birthday celebration (APP) in Ogun State.

Excluding the embattled candidate of the Peoples Democratic Birthday celebration (PDP), who’s but to be cleared, all different 12 guber contestants are alternatively, male applicants who all might be plugging it out amongst themselves on the contest scheduled for February 6, 2027.

Ab initio, one of the most citizens, who spoke with LEADERSHIP Weekend mentioned the Senator recently representing Ogun West Senatorial district on the Nationwide Meeting (NASS), Adeola Solomon Olamilekan, who’s the guber candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) is alternatively, mentioned to were extremely favoured to emerge winner of the competition given the stage of acceptability and followership which his political birthday celebration has been in a position to garner over the duration.

Twelve applicants might be contesting the 2027 governorship election beneath more than a few political events in Kwara State.

The one lady governorship candidate within the state, Jaiyeola Motuntayo is contesting the election beneath the platform of APM.

Different gubernatorial applicants come with 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 citizens who spoke with LEADERSHIP Weekend mentioned they’ve desire for the APC guber candidate, Engr Yakubu Danladi-Salihu.

The respondents, Alhaja Islamiyyah Yusuf, Adamu Sabi Ibrahim and Engr Mohammed Gofe mentioned they like Danladi-Salihu as a result of he’s from Kwara North which has no longer produced a governor since 1999.

Alhaja Islamiyyah Yusuf mentioned she believes Danladi-Salihu would observe the footsteps of the incumbent governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in ladies and teens empowerment.

In Nasarawa State, 11 political events are fielding applicants for the governorship election.

They come with the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Birthday celebration (PDP), the Social Democratic Birthday celebration (SDP), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and the Other people’s Redemption Birthday celebration (PRP).

Others come with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Motion Democratic Birthday celebration (ADP), the Allied Peoples Motion (APM), the Motion Peoples Birthday celebration (APP), the Labour Birthday celebration (LP) and the Nationwide Rescue Motion (NRM).

Our correspondent reviews that there is not any lady within the lineup of contenders for the state’s topmost place.

A grain broker on the Lafia Central Marketplace , Malam Suleiman Ubandoma, mentioned it’s time for the state to search for an alternative choice to the APC.