Partisan activities surged across the six geopolitical zones yesterday as governorship and House of Assembly candidates kicked off their campaigns for the February 6, 2027 elections.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and other parties opened the competitive hunt for votes with rallies, meetings and the unveiling of campaign materials.
Yesterday was the opening day of campaigns as enshrined in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines.
In Lagos, Ogun, Abia, Kaduna and Kano states, governorship candidates unveiled their manifestos at various events organised by their campaign structures.
Governorship candidates of the ADC in the Northwest geopolitical zone – with seven states, the highest number in the country – unveiled a unified governance blueprint at a meeting in Abuja.
The APC controls all the states in the zone.
Governors Abba Yusuf (Kano State) and Uba Sani (Kaduna State), both of the APC; Ogun State PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu; and his Abia counterpart, Kelechi Anosike, were among those who began their campaigns.
Campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly seats are ongoing, having begun on August 19. The presidential election will hold on January 16, 2027.
Two days ago, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), who spoke at a sensitisation workshop for electoral officers in Lagos, urged the candidates to avoid heating up the polity by restricting themselves to issue-based campaigns.
He also advised party leaders and candidates to conduct their campaigns in accordance with the guidelines released by the commission.
Northwest ADC candidates unveil unified blueprint
Former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), told reporters after the unveiling of the blueprint in Abuja that the governorship candidates were committed to ending economic stagnation in the region.
Malami, the Kebbi governorship candidate, said the ‘Northwest ADC Governorship Candidates Strategy Group’ would implement the ‘Regional Covenant for Security, Development and Shared Prosperity’ if the seven candidates are elected.
He said: ‘Our region is crisis-ridden. Over 16,000 lives have been lost on account of insecurity between June 2023 and August 2026, and more than 1,583 kidnapping incidents since January 2023 have taken over 10,000 of our people from their homes and farms.
‘Tens of thousands of households have been displaced, and more than 533,000 hectares of farmland in Zamfara and Katsina alone now lie abandoned. Our region also accounts for 45 per cent of Nigeria’s out-of-school children.’
Malami criticised the APC-led state governments across the zone, pointing out that despite receiving over N8.33 trillion in federal allocations between June 2023 and August 2026, the administrations had failed to provide accessible transportation, healthcare or quality education.
He added: ‘The level of looting witnessed across the Northwest under the current administrations is massive and unprecedented in the region.’
Furthermore, he committed that every ADC administration across the seven Northwest states would implement a minimum wage of N110,000 for workers upon taking office.
Malami is currently on trial over allegations of financial mismanagement during his tenure as AGF.
He has temporarily forfeited not less than 40 properties to the Federal Government.
Kaduna APC to focus on issues
Kaduna APC vowed to focus on issues and the achievements of Governor Uba Sani’s administration instead of attacking the opposition.
At a press conference in Kaduna, the Publicity Secretary, Mohamed Sani Haruna, said the party had met with publicity secretaries from the 23 local government areas to prepare them for the campaign.
Haruna said: ‘We intend to conduct our campaign without acrimony, without insult, in the best manner possible. We intend to conduct the election with respect for all contending parties and for the people of Kaduna State.
‘We are proud to sell the achievements of Senator Uba Sani as the governor of Kaduna State,’ Haruna said, identifying education, healthcare, sports and skills acquisition among sectors where the administration had recorded significant progress.
On education, the APC spokesman said the government had reduced tuition fees in Kaduna State-owned tertiary institutions by 50 per cent and reintroduced scholarship programmes.
He said the measures were aimed at making education more accessible to ordinary residents.
Haruna added: ‘When he became the governor of Kaduna State, school fees for tertiary institutions in Kaduna State were beyond the reach of the common man. Senator Sani reduced tuition fees by 50 per cent for all tertiary institutions in the state. He did not stop there; he reintroduced scholarships.’
He urged the people to vote for the three senatorial candidates – former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani, former Kaduna State Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero (Kaduna North), and Senator Sunday Marshall Katung (Kaduna South).
‘Victory is certain for APC in Lagos’
Lagos APC, led by Cornelius Ojelabi, began its grassroots mobilisation across the pre-existing 20 local governments.
Ojelabi said the campaign would be anchored on continuity, consolidation, renewed progress and victory, adding that the party would present its vision for the future of Lagos State.
The chairman said the APC had entered the campaign with confidence, a well-established grassroots structure and a clear understanding of the importance of the elections to the continued development of the state.
Ojelabi said in a statement by his media aide, Omobola Akingbehin, that the election presented an opportunity for Lagosians to sustain the state’s current trajectory of development and progress.
He also reaffirmed the importance of the political legacy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose leadership and progressive political tradition have played a defining role in the evolution of Lagos politics and governance.
He said the party would take its message directly to the people through extensive engagements across communities, wards, local governments, traditional institutions, professional groups, women and youth organisations, market associations and other critical stakeholders.
Ojelabi assured Lagosians that the APC campaign would be issue-driven and focused on the aspirations and expectations of the people, while respecting democratic values, the electoral process and the laws governing elections.
Anosike unveils 10-point welfarist manifesto
Anosike, who unveiled his manifesto to Abians, anchored it on a 10-pillar Welfarist governance philosophy, saying change was imminent.
Speaking as a guest on FLO FM Umuahia, which is connected to 12 radio stations, Anosike said, if elected, his administration would focus on 10 key areas, with the central promise: ‘People First, Abia Always.’
The 10-point welfarist programme includes agricultural welfare, coded as ‘Operation Feed Abia (OFA)’, with a pledge to make Abia food-secure and export-ready.
He said: ‘When Anosike becomes governor in 2027, you will be having three square meals to eat and things to chew in between meals. Never again will you go to bed with an empty stomach.’
Anosike promised to support farm settlements with ICT, sports and gaming facilities, bring back extension workers, mechanise farming and mandate local governments to assist farmers with tractors.
On economic welfare, he said his government would focus on cooperative economics and industrialisation, with a Traders Microfinance Bank to be established in Aba to provide interest-free revolving loans of N500,000 to N2 million to traders and artisans through registered cooperatives.
Anosike also promised to establish three industries every year and provide entrepreneurship grants.
He promised to make healthcare services affordable through a health insurance scheme under which the government would pay 60 per cent of medical costs while citizens would pay 40 per cent.
Anosike said functional laboratories would be built in the 17 local government areas and primary healthcare centres would be properly equipped.
To motivate the workforce, the PDP candidate promised to pay N90,000 as the minimum wage for the least-paid worker, above the N70,000 benchmark.
SDP ready to take power, says chairman
SDP National Chairman Prof. Sadie Gombe said the party was determined to take power from the ruling APC.
He spoke at the National Non-Elective Convention held in Abuja, which was attended by delegates, state chairmen from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), senatorial candidates and over 1,000 State Assembly candidates.
Gombe urged party members to put behind them all legal and administrative distractions, emphasising that the party remained standing and united.
He said: ‘The SDP has passed through numerous challenges. We have faced obstacles at almost every turn, yet we remain focused.
‘Let us therefore put all distractions behind us. The SDP must come first in the 2027 elections: from the presidential election, the National Assembly election, the governorship elections in the 28 states, the senatorial election in the 109 senatorial districts, the House of Representatives election in the 360 constituencies, and indeed the State Assembly election in the 1,015 constituencies in the country. No individual is bigger than the political party, and no personal interest should ever be allowed to undermine our collective will.’
At the convention were Prince Adewole Adebayo and his wife, Princess Lillian; vice-presidential candidate, Dr. Usman Bugaje; Chairman of Chairmen, Comrade Olaniyi Ferrari; and former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Muhammad Abubakar Adamu, who is the SDP governorship candidate in Nasarawa State.
Governorship candidates from Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba, Kogi, Bauchi, Oyo and Borno states were also presented to the delegates.
Adebutu: I will defeat Yayi
Adebutu said he would defeat the APC governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi).
He promised to ‘liberate’ the state from poverty, insecurity, unemployment and what he described as years of poor governance.
Adebutu unveiled his campaign manifesto, tagged ‘ITURA DE’ (relief), at the Ake Palace in Abeokuta.
In a speech titled ‘A Call to Liberation’, the former federal lawmaker said the agenda would serve as the blueprint for his administration.
With him at the news conference was his running mate, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo.
He said: ‘With ITURA DE programmes, the seven cardinal pillars are designed to systematically eradicate entrenched poverty and restore power to the good people of Ogun State.
‘We shall dismantle the architecture of fear, aggressively securing every farm, highway and neighbourhood from lawlessness and also guarantee total freedom of choice of political leaning as a dividend of true democracy.’
Adebutu also promised to restore financial autonomy to local government councils, arguing that empowering the councils would create additional centres of development and bring governance closer to the people.
He said: ‘We shall also liberate our Local Government Councils from financial bondage, returning sovereign administrative power and resources directly to your communities.’
Ogun State PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu (middle); his running mate, Yemi Showunmi-Kolapo(left) and other party chieftains, during the kick-off of the campaign in Abeokuta….yesterday
The PDP candidate emphasised his longstanding connection with Ogun State, saying his investments, businesses and social activities had established deep roots in the state.
Adebutu said: ‘For over 31 unbroken years, my roots, my wealth, my enterprises, and my sweat have been irreversibly planted in the soil of Ogun State.’
Running mate Alhaja Sowunmi-Kolapo also urged residents to support the party, promising that an Adebutu-led administration would provide relief from poverty and what she described as maladministration.
Yusuf calls for peaceful campaigns in Kano
Kano State Government called for peaceful campaigns focused on development and unity.
Addressing reporters at the Government House, Kano, the governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said the commencement of campaigns provided candidates an opportunity to present their programmes, achievements and visions to the people.
He said: ‘On behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, we assure the people of Kano that our campaign will be peaceful, issue-based and focused on the development, unity and prosperity of the state.’
Bature urged governorship candidates and their supporters to embrace responsible campaigns and to ‘compete on the basis of ideas, policies, records and programmes, rather than insults, intimidation or violence.’
He said: ‘The people of Kano deserve a campaign where candidates explain what they intend to do differently and how they will improve the lives of citizens.’
Wali begins campaign, receives royal endorsements
Yobe APC governorship candidate Alhaji Baba Malam Wali commenced his campaign tour with visits to traditional rulers and communities across Yobe South and Yobe East.
He received royal honours and endorsements from stakeholders.
Wali visited Gudi, Tikau, Potiskum, Fune, Jajere and Ngelzarma emirates, where the traditional rulers, party leaders and residents received the APC delegation with a rousing welcome.
He was conferred with traditional titles by four emirs within a 24-hour period, in recognition of his relationship with the traditional institutions and his contributions to the communities.
At Gudi, the Emir, Alhaji Ismail Ahmad Dala Ibn Madugu Khaji II, conferred on Wali the title of Sarkin Yakin Gudi.
Also, the Emir of Tikau, Alhaji Abubakar Mahammadu Ibn Grema III, bestowed on him the title of Ajiyan Tikau, while his running mate, Saleh Samanja, was honoured as Turakin Tikau.
At Potiskum, the Emir, Alhaji Umaru Bubaram Ibn Wuriwa Bauya, conferred on Wali the title of Zanna Kaloma.
The candidate also visited Jajere Emirate in Babbangida, Tarmuwa Local Government Area, where he was received by the Emir, HRH Dr Mai Hamza Buba Ibn Isa Mashio, who conferred on him the title of Sardaunan Jajere.
The emirate also presented cows to Wali in keeping with Fulani tradition as a gesture of honour and goodwill. The conferment and presentation were announced by the Director-General of the Yobe State Bureau on Public Procurement, Hon. Samaila Mai Adamu.
Yobe APC inaugurates reconciliation committees
The inauguration held at the Wawa Hall of the Yobe State Government House, Damaturu, was presided over by the Deputy Governor, Idi Barde Gubana, who also chairs the party’s State Working Committee.
Aliyu, who served as Minister of Power under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, will lead the Yobe South Senatorial District Reconciliation Committee, alongside former Secretary to the Yobe State Government, Aliyu Saleh Bagare, as deputy chairman.
Other members of the Yobe South committee include Senator Alkali Abdulkadir Jajere, Barrister Abubakar Bala Ajeje, Hon. Ibrahim Umar, Alhaji Adamu Abdu Chilariye, Alhaji Baba Hardo Potiskum, Alhaji Ayuba Mugaddas, Hon. Adam Arjo Kayeri, Alhaji Yunusa Kukuri, Hajiya Halima Joda and Alhaji Danjuma Mai Taya.
Aliyu expressed appreciation to the Yobe State Government and APC leadership for entrusting them with the responsibility of rebuilding unity within the party.
He pledged that the committees would approach the assignment with commitment and fairness, stressing the importance of resolving grievances and restoring confidence among party members ahead of the 2027 elections.
The former minister said the responsibility was an opportunity for members of the committees to contribute to the stability and progress of the party, particularly at the grassroots.
Inaugurating the committees, Deputy Governor Gubana commended the appointees for accepting what he described as an important responsibility, urging them to place the collective interest of the APC above personal considerations.
He charged the committees to remain committed, united and resolute in carrying out their mandate, particularly in reconciling members who became aggrieved following the party’s congresses and primary elections.
According to him, the assignment is to ‘reconcile, harmonise, integrate and unite’ party members in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
The Speaker of the Yobe State House of Assembly, Chiroma Buba Mashio, urged the committees to take their reconciliation efforts to the grassroots.
Mashio advised members to engage party supporters at the ward level in order to properly understand their grievances and identify practical solutions to the challenges confronting the party ahead of the 2027 elections.