By Joyce Ekeh
The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has dismissed reports that it lacks governorship candidates in 12 states ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that it has candidates in all 28 states where governorship elections will be held.
The party, in a move to counter what it described as a “deliberate propaganda,” yesterday released the names of its candidates in the 12 states allegedly affected, challenging those behind the reports to produce evidence to the contrary.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Osa Director, said the reports were false and malicious, accusing unnamed interests of attempting to undermine the NDC’s growing political momentum ahead of the elections.
He said: “We state categorically that this claim is false, malicious, a lie from the pit of hell, and intended to mislead Nigerians and undermine the growing momentum of the NDC nationwide.”
According to the party, it has fully nominated governorship candidates in the 28 states where governorship elections will take place in 2027, with political structures and supporters across the country.
“The NDC is not a regional party. We are a national movement with candidates, structures, and supporters in all 36 states and the FCT,” the statement said.
To buttress its position, the party listed its candidates in the 12 states named in the disputed report.
In Zamfara State, the NDC said it would field Senator Kabiru Marafa, while Rtd Rear Admiral Ibrahim Sanusi Kasim is its candidate in Borno State.
The party named Hon. John Odey as its candidate in Cross River, Babanta Michael Okon in Akwa Ibom and Nwofe Boniface in Ebonyi State.
Other candidates listed are Yakubu Solomon Ndam for Plateau State; Ilu-Barde Aliyu for Katsina; Alhaji Umar Usman Besse for Kebbi; Jonga Yahaya Gabakau for Yobe; Dutse Aminu Sani for Jigawa; Prof Yahaya Mohammed Sani for Taraba; and Abdu Sidi Bomi for Niger State.
The NDC urged media organisations, journalists, bloggers and content creators to verify political claims before publication, warning that the spread of unverified information could undermine public confidence in the media and democratic institutions.
“Journalism thrives on truth, not rumours. Peddling unverified propaganda only erodes public trust in the media and in our democracy,” the party said.
The party also said it would not be distracted by what it described as sponsored falsehoods, insisting that its focus remained on issue-based politics ahead of the 2027 elections.
“We will not be distracted by sponsored falsehoods,” it declared.
The NDC further positioned itself as an alternative to the established political order, citing its candidates, manifesto and proposed focus on security, employment and accountability.
“Nigerians are tired of the old order. They are tired of recycled failures. The NDC is the preferred party to salvage Nigeria,” the party said.
“With credible candidates, a clear manifesto, and a commitment to security, jobs, and accountability, we are ready to rescue and rebuild this nation in 2027.”
The party urged Nigerians to join its political movement, declaring: “The rescue mission has started.”
