By Benson Daniel
The Nigeria Democratic Congress has dismissed reports that it lacks governorship candidates in 12 states ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that it has duly nominated candidates in all 28 states where governorship elections are scheduled to hold.
The party described the reports as false and malicious, saying they were intended to undermine its growing political presence ahead of the elections.
The NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, made the clarification in a statement issued on Saturday, stressing that the party was fully prepared for the forthcoming elections.
According to Director, the NDC has established structures, candidates and supporters across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, rejecting suggestions that the party is primarily a regional political platform.
He said the reports alleging that the party had failed to produce candidates in 12 states amounted to deliberate misinformation designed to create doubts about its readiness for the 2027 polls.
To counter the claims, the party released the names of its governorship candidates in the 12 states identified in the reports.
They include Senator Kabiru Marafa in Zamfara State, retired Rear Admiral Ibrahim Sanusi Kasim in Borno, John Odey in Cross River and Babanta Michael Okon in Akwa Ibom.
The party also listed Nwofe Boniface as its candidate in Ebonyi State, Yakubu Solomon Ndam in Plateau, Ilu Barde Aliyu in Katsina and Umar Usman Besse in Kebbi.
Other names released by the party were Jonga Yahaya Gabakau for Yobe, Dutse Aminu Sani for Jigawa, Professor Yahaya Mohammed Sani for Taraba and Abdu Sidi Bomi for Niger State.
The NDC said the list was released to set the record straight and demonstrate that it had candidates in the states where its presence had been questioned.
The party also urged media organisations, journalists, bloggers and other content creators to verify political claims before publishing them.
Director argued that the circulation of unverified political information could damage public confidence in the media as well as the democratic process, particularly as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections.
The NDC said it would remain focused on issue based politics rather than being distracted by what it described as sponsored falsehoods.
The party is positioning itself as an alternative political force ahead of the next general elections and has said its campaign would focus on issues including security, job creation and accountability.
The latest dispute comes as political parties and emerging movements continue to strengthen their structures across the country ahead of the 2027 elections.
With the election season still ahead, parties are expected to intensify candidate selection, grassroots mobilisation and efforts to expand their political presence across the states.
The NDC maintained that its nationwide structures and its list of governorship candidates demonstrate that it is preparing to contest the elections across the states where governorship polls will take place.
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