A pressure group within the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Kebbi State has called on the party’s governorship candidate, Abubakar Malami, to select a running mate from Kebbi South Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The group, operating under the banner of the Kebbi ADC Unity Forum, specifically recommended Paul Gambo Tase for the deputy governorship position, arguing that the choice would promote equity, inclusiveness and regional balance within the party.

The forum’s coordinator, Garba Abdulkareem, made the call in a statement issued on Thursday in Birnin Kebbi.

According to him, Tase, a former Labour Party governorship candidate and an indigene of Kebbi South, possesses the experience and competence required for the position.

Abdulkareem said the forum believes the deputy governorship slot should be zoned to Kebbi South, noting that Malami hails from Kebbi Central Senatorial District.

He added that the recommendation was based on considerations of fairness, merit and political inclusion as consultations continue ahead of the 2027 election.

The forum described itself as a coalition of party members, professionals, community leaders, youths and women seeking to strengthen the ADC’s prospects in the state.

According to the group, Tase has indicated his willingness to serve if nominated by the party and its governorship candidate.

Tase was the Labour Party governorship candidate in Kebbi State during the 2023 general election and is a retired economist who previously worked with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Malami, a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, recently emerged as the ADC governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Kebbi State.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has distanced itself from a purported list of senatorial candidates for future elections currently circulating on social media and some online platforms, describing the publication as fake and unauthorized.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC said the document titled “Concluded List of APC Senatorial Candidates So Far” did not originate from the party and should be disregarded by members and the public.

Morka stated that the party had not released any such list and warned against the spread of unverified information capable of misleading party faithful and the general public.

“The list is fake and did not emanate from the Party,” the statement said.

The APC advised its members, stakeholders, media organisations and the public to ignore the publication in its entirety, stressing that only the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) has the authority to announce candidates emerging from its primary elections and other constitutionally prescribed processes.

According to the statement, the NWC can only make such announcements through officially authorized communication channels.

The ruling party also expressed concern over the circulation of what it described as false information, noting that such actions could create confusion and undermine confidence in its internal democratic processes.

“We urge all Party members and stakeholders to refrain from circulating unverified information capable of causing confusion, misleading the public or undermining the integrity of the Party’s democratic processes,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has said that more than 50% of its candidates for the 2027 general elections emerged through consensus.

Featuring in an interview on Arise Television on Thursday, the national spokesman of the party, Osa Director, said a lot of people are working hard to sabotage the party’s efforts by alleging that the NDC is no different from other political parties.

Director reaffirmed the party’s commitment to ensuring a transparent and all-inclusive democratic process.

“Over 50% of NDC candidates emerged through consensus. The NDC is a party which is going to conduct itself in such a way that it is no longer business as usual. That is a promise we made to Nigerians.

“However, you find out that the NDC is a bride that is attracting so many suitors, and at the end of the day, only one suitor is going to be allowed to pay the bride price. Then, those who are unable to do that would naturally feel a bit dissatisfied or feel a sense of rejection, but in the NDC, no one is rejected.

“Like my national chairman said, the NDC is a political Noah’s Ark that is going to serve as a vehicle to turn Nigeria to a destination of salvation, a destination where we shall embrace progress and development, and inclusive progress and development,” he said.