2027: Ex-IGP Adamu Makes INEC’s List As SDP Governorship Candidate In Nasarawa

Former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar Adamu has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the 2027 general elections in Nasarawa State.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed the development on Saturday with the release of its final list of candidates for the forthcoming general elections, which listed the former police chief as the SDP’s flagbearer.

The development was also confirmed by the Mohammed Abubakar Adamu Campaign Organisation. Its Director of Digital Media and Strategic Communications, High Chief Otaru Douglas, confirmed the development to LEADERSHIP via telephone.

“It is confirmed. We are going to be on the ballot for the governorship election in our dear state of Nasarawa. And I can assure you that victory is coming in 2027, when the generality of the people will finally seal the overwhelming endorsement witnessed so far,” he said.

Adamu had initially contested the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Nasarawa State but lost to Senator Aliyu Wadada. He subsequently defected to the SDP, where he secured the party’s ticket.

According to INEC and party officials, Adamu emerged from a substitution primary/special delegates’ congress to replace Musa Adamu Angba, who withdrew from the race.

The exercise was conducted under INEC’s supervision, with the candidate affirmed through a voice vote, following the SDP’s decision to conduct fresh primaries in Nasarawa and Gombe states on September 5, 2026, to replace candidates who had withdrawn.

Adamu’s candidacy had been the subject of debate following the Supreme Court judgment in Appeal No. SC/CR/495/2026, delivered on September 24, 2026, concerning the Electoral Act 2026.

INEC had said it was reviewing the verdict to determine its practical application to records already submitted by political parties.

Adamu’s camp has maintained that the judgment does not affect his candidacy. Douglas argued that the Supreme Court “merely restored and validated the constitutionality of Sections 77(5), (6), (7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, after the Court of Appeal had declared them unconstitutional.”

He maintained that no court had invalidated the SDP membership register, nullified the direct primary monitored by INEC that produced Adamu, or ordered the commission to delist the retired IGP.

With INEC’s final list now published, Adamu is set to fly the SDP’s flag in what is expected to be a keenly contested governorship race in Nasarawa State in 2027.