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Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, 2027 vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has warned governors against attempting to prevent him and other opposition leaders from entering their states to campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kwankwaso said governors who believe they can stop opposition candidates from visiting their states are making a serious mistake, stressing that political leaders should not use their positions to restrict legitimate political activities.

The NDC vice-presidential candidate said Nigeria must remain bigger than any election or administration, suggesting that political contests should not be allowed to undermine the country’s unity or democratic process.

His comments come as the NDC intensifies its political activities and outreach ahead of the 2027 elections, with the party seeking support across different parts of the country.

Kwankwaso, who is running alongside Peter Obi on the NDC ticket, has in recent weeks been involved in political consultations and engagements across northern states as the opposition party builds its campaign structure.

The former Kano State governor said attempts by state governors to restrict opposition movements would not stop the party from engaging Nigerians and presenting its political message across the country.

He stressed that every political party and candidate should be given the opportunity to meet voters, explain their programmes and seek support without unnecessary restrictions or intimidation.

Kwankwaso’s warning adds to growing political tension ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition parties increasingly challenging the influence of incumbent governors and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) across the states.

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election to court.

The petition is now on the notice board of the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, in Osogbo. The papers went up on Monday, 7 September. Tribunal Secretary, Pefe Belemore, had said the notices would be displayed before noon.

Secretariat staff were already in the courtroom as preparations for sitting continued.

Two petitions challenge the 15 August result that returned Adeleke for another term. The APC case, marked EPT/OS/GOV/01/2026, was filed by its candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, against Adeleke, the Accord Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The Peoples Democratic Party case, marked EPT/OS/GOV/02/2026, was filed by Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola against Adeleke, INEC and Accord. Discover more Maps Legislative Branch Politics Display of the petitions is a procedural step. The parties must still be served before full hearing begins. Adeleke remains the declared winner. The detailed grounds of each petition have not been published. The tribunal has not issued a ruling.State & Local Government

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The Social Democratic Party has picked a former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, as its candidate for the 2027 Nasarawa State governorship election.

Adamu emerged during a substitution primary held on Saturday in Lafia, the state capital, following the withdrawal of the party’s previously listed candidate, Musa Angba.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had listed Angba as the SDP’s governorship candidate for the state before his withdrawal paved the way for the substitution.

Declaring the result, the Chairman of the SDP Electoral Committee for Nasarawa State, Joseph Achille, said the primary was conducted across the state’s 13 local government areas.

Achille said 28,637 delegates participated in the exercise, adding that the votes cast at the ward level were duly collated.

“Sitting before you today to conduct this election. As you are all aware, we have a sole candidate for the office of governor, SDP, Nasarawa State,” he told the delegates.

He subsequently declared Adamu the winner after the former police chief secured the highest number of valid votes.

“Having scored the total votes peacefully and lawfully, it gives me singular privilege, by the powers conferred on me by the National Executive Committee and the National Working Committee, to declare the result that Mohammed Abubakar Adamu scored the highest lawful valid votes.

“Subsequently, he is declared, returned, and elected as the candidate and flag-bearer of the Social Democratic Party for Nasarawa State,” Achille said.

He described the exercise as free, fair and credible before inviting Adamu to deliver his acceptance speech.

The former IG thanked the party for conducting the primary and pledged to work towards improving the state if elected in 2027.

“I am delighted that the primaries have been conducted. I’m also delighted that we have been declared the winner. My family and the people of Nasarawa State are delighted that this primary has been conducted, and we have been declared winners,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Director of Media and Strategic Communications of the Adamu Campaign Organisation, Otaru Douglas, said the former police chief’s affirmation had ended what he described as speculation over the SDP ticket.

In a statement issued after the exercise, Douglas claimed the turnout and unanimous support for Adamu demonstrated the party’s unity ahead of the election.

“The people have shown uncommon resilience and commitment to changing the governance narrative of our dear state. They have rejected politics of intimidation and inducement and have chosen competence, experience, integrity and proven leadership,” he said.