•Atiku, Tinubu, Obi and Kwankwaso
The Department of State Services (DSS) is beefing up security for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and 16 other presidential candidates as they prepare to move to the field for campaign ahead of the January 2027 election.
A similar security measure has been extended to all presidential running mates, including ex-governors Rotimi Amaechi who is on the ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) with Atiku, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who is flying the flag of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) with Obi, reports The Nation.
All governorship candidates and their running mates are equally covered by the security arrangement, it was gathered last night.
National and state Assembly election candidates in flashpoints are under heavy surveillance.
The news broke on a day the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) published the list of all the governorship and state assembly candidates in next year’s election.
It was learnt that the DSS action followed a directive from President Bola Tinubu that water-tight protection be accorded all the 18 candidates contesting against him because he wants a free and fair election.
Apart from Tinubu who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer, Atiku and Obi, the other presidential candidates include Senator Sandy Onor (PDP), Omoyele Sowore (AAC), Donald Duke (PRP), Okwori Adam Elizabeth Frederick (NDP), Chukwu Anita Zugwai (YPP), and Rufai Adekunle Omoaje (AA).
The rest are Adenuga Sunday (BP), Memeh Samuel (later substituted for Moses Adebisi (DLA), Anyanwu Daniel Danerechukwu (ZLP), Okereke Sunday Chibuzor (LP), Okereke Iken Esther (NRM), Abbas-Bin Aliyu (ADP), Dikwa Suleiman Mohammed (NNPP), Adebayo Adewole Ebenezer (ADP), Makinde Oluseyi Abiodun (APM) and Yusuf Kabiru (APP).
The vice presidential candidates are Shehu Hussaini (AA), Egbeola Olawale Mertins (YPP), Ike Chinazam (ADP), Shettima Kashim (APC), Mustapha Usman Turaki (BP), Balogun Alex (DLA), Chikwuemeka Uchenna Anthony(NDP), Magashi Haruna Garba (AAC), Umara Babangida (PDP), Musa Mohammed Rabiu Kwankwaso (NDC) and Konto Hajja Bintu (LP)
Others are Hassan Khalid (ZLP), Samuel Magdalene Gali (NRM), Amaechi Chibuike Rotimi (ADC), Abubakar Isah (NNPP), Buba Musa (PRP), Bugaje Usman Mohammed (ADP), Ibrahim Adamu Bala (APM) and Ofordile Peace Egobia (APP).
A security source confirmed that the president “ordered a non-partisan protective measures for all presidential candidates and their deputies no matter how toxic their campaign tactics may be.
“Tinubu is determined to win a free and fair poll. As a democrat, he has security agencies to ensure a level -playing field for all,” the source said.
“The DSS has beefed up security for presidential candidates and their deputies. Some of them have even come up with specifications of their security architecture.
“All the candidates are being taken care of. The DSS is deploying enough manpower for protective duties.”
Responding to a question, the source added: “All the governorship candidates and their deputies are also enjoying security cover from the DSS.
“The overall aim is to ensure a campaign for all free of inhibitions and a hitch-free election.”
The source said states “likely to be flashpoints have been identified and placed under surveillance for National Assembly and State House of Assembly Elections.”
The source explained that the initiative of the secret service was without prejudice to Nigeria Police Force and other agencies’ plans.
INEC publishes governorship, state assembly election candidates
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday published the list of all the candidates contesting next year’s governorship and state assembly elections across the country.
Published along with the names were the personal details of the candidates to allow for public scrutinization.
In Ogun State ,the followings were listed as the governorship candidates: : Okewole Shuaib Olaniyi (Accord), Jimi Adebisi Lawal (ADC), Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (APC), Babajide Rotimi Matthew (APM), Dasaolu Lekan (NDP), Akinbola Rotham (NNPP), Oladipupo Adebutu (PDP) and Ola Williams Penuel (SDP).
AAC, APP, DLA, YPP, NDC, Boot Party and NRM are fielding candidates for the assembly election.
Labour Party is missing from the list entirely following a court case on the leadership crisis in the state chapter of the party.
Alli, Adekanmbi, Adegoke, Gbolarumi, others make Oyo guber list
The Senator representing Oyo South, Sharafadeen Alli, former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Bimbo Adekanmbi, business guru and Ibadan Chief, Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke, and Hazeem Gbolarumi were among the governorship candidates listed by INEC to contest the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.
Alli is of the APC, while Gbolarumi is sponsored by PDP , Adekanmi by APM and Adegoke by ADC.
Also listed are Yinusa Kazeem Ayandare (PRP), Olasupo Olalekan Abdulsemiu (AAC), Salami Gbolagade (APGA), Aderoju Okunlade Michael (SDP), and Hassan Waheed Olanrewaju (ZLP).
Others are Olatunji Kunle James (ADP), Kareem Thomson Sola (LP), Tijani Ismaila Akinbode (APP), Yusuf Akim Adebola (NDC), Adebiyi Adedapo (NNPP), Afolabi Taofeek Adedamola (NRM), and Taiwo Ibiyemi Otegbeye (NDP).
Ex-IGP Adamu’s name missing from Nasarawa governorship candidates’ list
Conspicuosly missing from the list of Nasarawa governorship candidates’ list published yesterday was the name of former Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar Adamu.
Adamu had been given the ticket of SDP soon after defecting from the APC.
He had lost the APC ticket to Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada.
On the list are Wadada , Musa Adamu Angbazo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP); Dahiru Musa Doma of the Action People’s Party (APP); Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi of the Labour Party (LP); Retired Major General Nuhu Angbazo of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); Emmanuel David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); and Ibrahim Kasimu Aboh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Others are Christopher Mamman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP); Abdullahi Omame Abisabo of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP); Abubakar Abdu Giza of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP); Mohammed Awwal Suleiman of the Allied People’s Movement (APM); Abdullah Bukhari of the Action Alliance (AA); Kigbu John Tanko of the Young Progressives Party (YPP); Dogo Danladi Shammah of the Nigeria Democratic Congress Party (NDC); and Shuaibu Umaru Kubi of Accord.
Chinda, Pidomson, Lulu-Briggs, 16 others listed for Rivers governorship race
Chinda Kingsley Ogundu is the governorship candidate of the APC with the Majority Leader of the House of Assembly, Major Jack as his running mate.
Lulu-Briggs Dumo Owukori is the candidate of the NDC while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate was listed as Gabriel Pidomson and Okumgba David Amapakaye as his running mate.
Also listed are were Ejekwu Samuel Soni and Ehuwa Kabaka for PDP; Chibuzor Rani and Davies Ikubogh (Accord); Tata Kenneth and Dappa Kelvin (APP); Lawson Angel and Azunwena Regina (ADP); Benjamin Oli, no deputy (BP); Warighani Zebulum and Joseph Udo (DLA); Minaibim Harry and Iwedi Ogonda Ada (NRM); Azimiku Gidiom and Ogochukwu Hekerem (SDP); Kiegha Nature Dumale and Membere Deborah (PRP).
The others are Harry Victor Godwin and Agumba Nnamdi (ZLP); Obu Omangima and John-Woke Geraldine (APGA); West Ivy and Eletuo Ijendu (AAC); Eke Benjamin Israel and Awortu Charles (AA); Abiye Georgewell and Gbimadee Raymond (NNPP); Johnbull Obrasu and Taagaloobari Celestine (YPP,); Whyte Churchill and Bardom Zaavalo (APM).
INEC also displayed the forms EC-9 of the House of Assembly candidates for the 2027 general elections with a few parties fielding candidates for all 32 state constituencies in Rivers.
While the PDP, APC, NDC and ADC produced candidates for all the constituencies, other parties such as AA had 29; APP, 29; NRM, 15; ZLP, 20; BP, 3; AAC, 1; LP, 13; YPP, 26; PRP, 13; DLA, 20; SDP, 31; ADP, 14 among others.
250 to battle for 24 legislative seats in Bayelsa
There will be no governorship election in Bayelsa State next year.
However, 250 candidates from the different parties will be contesting the 24 seats in the state House of Assembly, according to the list published yesterday in Yenagoa by INEC.
According to the list, four political parties including the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Social Democratic Party( SDP), People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) are fielding candidates for all the 24 available legislative seats.
National Democratic Congress (NDC) closely follows with 22 candidates , while APP has 15 candidates. Action Alliance (AA) is presenting 14 candidates.
The NNPP has 12 candidates contesting on its platform, while People’s Redemption Party (PRP) is fielding 11 candidates.
Twelve political parties with the least candidate participation are DLA-7, YP-2, APGA-6, BP-4, AAC-4, NDP-4, LP-4, AP-7, YPP-5, ZLP-7, NRM-8, and APM-7.
APC’s Danladi, PDP’s Kawu,others listed in Kwara
The names of governorship candidates and their running mates on display in Kwara State are : Yakubu Danladi Salihu and Bello Mubarak Salau of APC;Adeshina Ajisafe and Suleiman Jubri (ADP);Apaokagi Ridwan Salahudeen and Kolawole Funsho Thawphic (SDP);Seko Jubril Gure and Michael Oyeniyi Jolayemi (Accord);Abdulmunin Yinka Ajia and Olayide Olawuyi (NDC);Omotoso Bamidele Olaitan and Aremu Toyin Wahab (APP);Kolo Ezekiel and Olanipekun Ismail Olabode (AA);Kawu Sulaiman Bolakale and Fawenu Cornelius Sunday (PDP);Oluwole Tolu and Jaiyeola Motunrayo (APM); Shola Victor Abioye and Issa Salihu (NDC);Sule Ajayi and Afolabi Moses Folorunsho (APGA);Lamidi Isiaka Akanni and Grace Abosede Ogundele (NNPP).
Edo deputy speaker’s name missing from list
There will also not be governorship election in Edo.
The APC,NDC,PDP,ADC,Labour Party and Zenith Labour Party are fielding candidates for the state legislative election.
Missing from the INEC list are the names of Deputy Speaker representing Orhionmwon South, Hon Atu Osawonyi,incumbent Speaker, Yekini Idiaye, representing Akoko-Edo 1, Asonsere Nicholas representing Ikpoba-Okha and Hon Bright Iyamu representing Orhionmwon South.
19 candidates for Sokoto gov contest
Nineteen candidates were listed yesterday to contest the Sokoto State governorship election scheduled.
They include Aliyu Shamsudeen Ahmad of the NDC, Abdullah Sokoto Abubakar of the PDP, Manir Muhammad Dan’Iya of the ADC and the incumbent governor, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, of the APC.
The Action Alliance, Social Democratic Party, Action Peoples Party, Action Democratic Party, Allied Peoples Movement, Zenith Labour Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Peoples Redemption Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, National Rescue Movement, African Action Congress, Accord, Young Progressives Party, National Democratic Party, Labour Party, National Democratic Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, and the All Progressives Congress are sponsoring candidates for the election into the state legislature.
