The African Democratic Congress has screened more than 70 governorship aspirants ahead of its 2027 primary elections, with party faithful commending the exercise as transparent, professional and consistent with democratic standards.
The screening, which took place in Abuja on Monday, attracted aspirants from Adamawa, Delta, Benue, Zamfara, Plateau, Bauchi, Jigawa, Lagos, Nasarawa and Rivers, among others.
Speaking after his appearance before the panel, Senator Mohamed Onawo, representing Nasarawa South and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, described the process as thorough and fair.
According to him, members of the screening committee demonstrated professionalism in reviewing documents and engaging aspirants on critical issues.
“The committee members were professional, thorough and fair in assessing documents and asking relevant questions,” Onawo said.
The lawmaker expressed confidence in the ADC’s chances in the 2027 governorship elections, particularly in Nasarawa State, citing his political experience and what he described as growing public support for the party.
He also argued that internal crises within some major political parties had created opportunities for the ADC to expand its electoral fortunes across the country.
Onawo further endorsed consensus arrangements for party primaries, saying such an approach could help strengthen internal unity and minimise post-primary disputes.
“I have total confidence in the leadership of the party, and I believe the ADC will emerge stronger ahead of the 2027 elections,” he added.
Former Adamawa State Governor, Mohammed Jibrilla, popularly known as Bindow, also applauded the exercise, describing it as transparent and intellectually engaging.
Bindow said the panel conducted itself professionally and ensured all aspirants were subjected to the same level of scrutiny ahead of the party primaries.
Delta State governorship aspirant, Great Ogboru, used the opportunity to unveil part of his governance agenda, promising what he called an equal opportunity development initiative aimed at ensuring all local government areas receive dedicated monthly funding for grassroots projects.
Ogboru said the initiative would guarantee simultaneous development across councils and prevent marginalisation in project implementation.
Former Lagos State governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, described the screening exercise as a critical institutional safeguard capable of preventing future legal disputes over candidate eligibility.
According to him, parties that adhere strictly to due process are better positioned to provide credible leadership and build enduring democratic institutions.
“Having participated in similar exercises previously, I am pleased with the professionalism and thoroughness of the committee,” Rhodes-Vivour said.
He urged Nigerians to support leaders committed to public service rather than personal enrichment and political patronage.
The Lagos politician also expressed optimism about his political prospects in 2027, saying sustained grassroots mobilisation, coalition building and strategic engagement had significantly strengthened his support base since the last election cycle.
The Newsmen reports that aspirants from Jigawa, Delta, Benue, Zamfara, Plateau, Bauchi, Adamawa and other states equally participated in the exercise.
Addressing journalists at the event, the ADC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Queen Okiyi, confirmed that more than 70 governorship aspirants had already been screened, while the exercise would continue on Tuesday for the remaining contestants.
She said, “The screening has come to an end today. The first panel screened about 34 governorship aspirants. In the second hall, we had over 35. In total, we have over 70 governorship aspirants screened, and the exercise continues tomorrow (Tuesday).”
Among those screened were former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (Kebbi), Jibrilla (Adamawa), Ogboru (Delta), Onawo (Nasarawa), Rhodes-Vivour (Lagos), Dr Shehu Ahmad Issa (Zamfara) and Retired General John Surai (Plateau).
Also screened were Adeboyega Adegoke (Oyo), Haliru Jika (Bauchi), Kashim Geidam (Yobe), Musa Ahmed (Adamawa) and Nuhu Agbazu (Nasarawa).
The list also included Dr Emmanuel Unuafe (Delta), Bashir Adamu (Jigawa), Amb Umar Suleiman (Adamawa), Dr Leloonu Nwibubasa (Rivers) and Peter Adejo (Benue).
The ADC has recently intensified efforts to position itself as a major alternative political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections, amid growing discontent within some of the country’s dominant political parties.
Imoke, Abdulfatai head presidential primary panels
The ADC also constituted committees to oversee its 2027 presidential and governorship primaries, appointing former Cross River State governor, Liyel Imoke, as chairman of its presidential screening committee and former Kwara State governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, as chairman of the presidential election committee.
This was contained in a statement signed by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Monday in Abuja.
According to the statement, Imoke will head the committee responsible for screening presidential aspirants seeking the party’s ticket, while Ahmed will oversee the conduct of the presidential primary election.
Other members of the Imoke committee are Cyril Maduabum, who will serve as secretary, alongside Lawal Batagarawa, Prof Bode Ayorinde, Nnena Elendu-Ukeje, Prof David Salifu and Col Abubakar Ciroma.
The presidential election committee has Prof Yisa Gana as secretary, with Maj-Gen Adamu Jalingo, Dr Auwalu Anwar, Chief Emenike Ikechi, Dr Macaulay Iyare, Tajudeen Bakare, Elder Ubolo Okpanachi, Zainab Buba Galadima, Uzoamaka Onyeama and Maj Gen Muhammad Inuwa Idris as members.
The party also named a presidential appeals committee chaired by Dr Suleiman Usman (SAN), with Ken Imasuagbon as secretary and Dare Okerade as a member.
For the governorship primaries, the ADC approved two screening panels.
The first panel is chaired by Shaibu Aruwa (SAN), with Femi Olawuyi serving as secretary. Other members are Lauretta Onochie, Mrs Vivian Ugochukwu, Akilu Indabawa, Ibrahim Wali and Prof Rabiu Bello.
The second governorship screening panel will be headed by Justina Abanida, while Chille Igbawua will serve as secretary. Other members include Gerrard Irona, Yisa Braimoh, Hassan Ibrahim, Joseph Enemali and Navy Capt Aliyu Ngolmo.
Similarly, the party constituted two governorship appeal committees. Peters Oyewole will chair the first committee, with Abdulhakeen Taiye Ibrahim as secretary and Adah Usman as a member.
The second appeal committee will be chaired by M.E. Sheriff, while Realwan Okpanachi and Hassan Yakubu will serve as secretary and member, respectively.