A frontline governorship aspirant in Plateau State under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Jude Dakur, has officially picked the party’s nomination form ahead of the 2027 governorship election, pledging to prioritize grassroots development, security, and economic growth if elected.
Dakur obtained the nomination form on Tuesday, May 13, 2026, signaling his formal entry into the race and expressing confidence in securing the party’s ticket during the forthcoming primaries.
Speaking shortly after obtaining the form, the governorship hopeful said his ambition is driven by a desire to reposition Plateau State for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
He assured supporters that his administration would focus on improving the welfare of citizens and ensuring equitable distribution of resources across the state.
According to Dakur, Plateau State possesses enormous mineral and agricultural potential that must be properly harnessed to drive economic prosperity, particularly in rural communities.
He described mining and agriculture as key pillars of the state’s economy, stressing that strategic investment in the sectors would create jobs and boost internally generated revenue.
On mining activities, Dakur stated that rather than imposing outright restrictions, his administration would create a safe and conducive environment for both artisanal and professional miners to operate effectively.
He added that proper regulation, enforcement of safety standards, and support for miners would help curb illegal mining activities and address related security challenges.
Addressing insecurity in Plateau State, Dakur pledged to adopt a multi-dimensional strategy that would involve stronger collaboration with security agencies, improved intelligence gathering, and support for community-based security initiatives.
He also promised to tackle unemployment and poverty through targeted youth empowerment programmes, noting that engaging young people productively remains vital to achieving lasting peace and development in the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has omitted former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, from its final list of governorship candidates for Gombe State ahead of the February 6, 2027 election.
Politics Nigeria reports that the commission released a list of 16 cleared candidates for the election, but Pantami’s name was missing despite his earlier inclusion in the provisional list published on August 29.
Among the candidates on the final list are Bala Bello Tinka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Babayo Ardo Kumo of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
Others include Zubairu Mu’azu Halilu of the Labour Party (LP), Lamela L. Silas of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Ibrahim Jalo Abubakar of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Adamu Mohammed Ma’aji of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Pantami’s exclusion comes amid a series of legal disputes over his emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state.
The former minister had initially sought the APC governorship ticket but left the party after it settled for Gwamna as its consensus candidate. He subsequently joined the PDP and emerged as the party’s flag bearer through voice affirmation at its governorship primary.
However, a Federal High Court sitting in Gombe nullified his initial emergence on May 26, following a challenge to the primary process.
The court ordered a fresh primary election, which Pantami won on September 29 with 2,054 votes, defeating Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki and Usman Aliyu Garry.
Garry had challenged Pantami’s emergence, arguing that the required primary election was not properly conducted before the former minister was declared the party’s candidate.
Despite winning the court-ordered rerun, Pantami’s eligibility remained in doubt following the Supreme Court’s September 24, 2026 judgment on provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 governing political party membership registers and candidate eligibility.
The Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of Sections 77(5), 77(6) and 77(7) of the Electoral Act 2026 and upheld INEC’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 elections.
The provisions bar political parties from fielding candidates whose names were not included in the membership registers submitted to INEC within the stipulated period.
INEC has maintained that parties found to have violated the requirements will not be permitted to participate in the elections through candidates whose nominations breach the law.
Mohammed Haruna, an INEC national commissioner in charge of information and voter education, said the commission would not allow parties to replace candidates affected by the provisions.
Haruna made the clarification during an appearance on Trust TV’s programme on Wednesday evening, explaining that allowing substitutions would enable political parties to benefit from their own violations.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan
He cited previous disputes involving Zamfara and Plateau states to illustrate the consequences of parties failing to comply with electoral requirements.
“It’s like you committed an offence. And then, you come and benefit from it,” Haruna said.
He added that allowing parties to substitute candidates in such circumstances would amount to permitting them to benefit from an offence they had committed.
Haruna also indicated that the commission expected to make a definite pronouncement on the implications of the Supreme Court judgment by the following Tuesday.