Following the formal presentation of flags and certificates of return at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja on Friday, September 4, 2026, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) officially released the full ticket combinations across the 28 participating states. The party’s candidate lineup features notable political figures, former federal lawmakers, and major sub-national contenders positioning the party as the primary third-force platform ahead of the upcoming governorship elections.
Full List of Official ADC Governorship and Deputy Governorship Candidates
The comprehensive roster released by the party’s National Working Committee contains the following nominations across the five geopolitical zones participating in the cycle:
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Abia State: Kalu Kalu Agu (Governor) | Alozie Ogadinma Darlington (Deputy Governor)
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Adamawa State: Modibbo Hammantukur Ribadu (Governor) | Aguwa Kevin Iliya (Deputy Governor)
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Akwa Ibom State: Akpanudoedehe John James (Governor) | Nsien Mkpombuk Tommy (Deputy Governor)
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Bauchi State: Sen. Halliru Dauda Jika (Governor) | Sama’ila Mohammed Kabir (Deputy Governor)
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Benue State: Rt. Hon. Herman Iorwase Hembe (Governor) | Abba John Abba (Deputy Governor)
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Borno State: Babagana Buhari (Governor) | Mamman Dauda (Deputy Governor)
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Cross River State: Nkoyo Toyo (Governor) | Okwoche Andrew Adagbor (Deputy Governor)
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Delta State: Chief Great Ogboru (Governor) | Afiari Gloria (Deputy Governor)
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Ebonyi State: Ukpai Mba Udeh (Governor) | Onwe Daniel Ede (Deputy Governor)
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Enugu State: Ocho Obodoeze Chukwuma (Governor) | Eze Arinze Christopher (Deputy Governor)
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Gombe State: Bala Bello (Governor) | Bala Sani Isa (Deputy Governor)
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Jigawa State: Sabo Mohammed Nakudu (Governor) | Musa Ya’u Balarabe (Deputy Governor)
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Kaduna State: Isa Mohammed Ashiru (Governor) | Kantiok Irmiya Ishaku (Deputy Governor)
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Kano State: Ibrahim Ali Amin (Governor) | Shehu Abdulkadir Bari (Deputy Governor)
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Katsina State: Sen. Ahmad Babba Kaita (Governor) | Aminu Yar’adua Ahmed (Deputy Governor)
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Kebbi State: Abubakar Malami (Governor) | Zagi Musa Mohammed (Deputy Governor)
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Kwara State: Zakari Mohammed (Governor) | Olawuyi Julius Olayide (Deputy Governor)
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Lagos State: Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (Governor) | Gbadamosi Babatunde Olalere (Deputy Governor)
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Nasarawa State: Nuhu Angbazo (Governor) | Ahmed Yusuf (Deputy Governor)
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Niger State: Dr. Mohammed Kpautagi (Governor) | Musa Mamman (Deputy Governor)
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Ogun State: Biodun Collins Ogundipe (Governor) | Muraina Oluwaranti Oluyemi (Deputy Governor)
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Oyo State: Taofeek Adegboyega Adegoke (Governor) | Wahab Adeniyi (Deputy Governor)
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Plateau State: Brig. Gen. John Sunday Sura (Governor) | Pwajok-Kele Chundung Bitrus (Deputy Governor)
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Rivers State: Gabriel Pidomson (Governor) | Okumgba David Amapakaye (Deputy Governor)
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Sokoto State: Manir Mohammad Daniya (Governor) | Isah Bello Ambarura (Deputy Governor)
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Taraba State: Abubakar Umar Tutare (Governor) | Kwetishe Haruna Kwenyan (Deputy Governor)
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Yobe State: Kassim G. Gaidam (Governor) | Kori Lawan Mohammed (Deputy Governor)
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Zamfara State: Shinkafi Bilyaminu Yusuf (Governor) | Muhammad Abdulmuddalib Auwal (Deputy Governor)
Strategic Sub-National Realignments
The disclosure confirms several high-profile political defectors and experienced strategists heading the ADC slate. In Lagos State, 2023 Labour Party gubernatorial flagbearer Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour leads the ticket alongside Gbadamosi Babatunde Olalere. In Kebbi State, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, secures the governorship nomination alongside Zagi Musa Mohammed. Other key figures include veteran Delta strategist Chief Great Ogboru, former Kaduna governorship flagbearer Isa Mohammed Ashiru, and former House of Representatives member Herman Hembe in Benue State.
