2027: Niger ADC Candidate Unveils Muslim Running Mate

……sets Out Five-Point Agenda to Unseat APC

By Daniel RBI, Minna

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate for the 2027 Niger State governorship election, Mohammed Kpautagi Mohammed, has unveiled former Commissioner for Water Resources, Mamman Musa, as his running mate, as the opposition party intensifies preparations to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mohammed, popularly known as M.K. Mohammed, made the announcement at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press center in Minna, where he formally presented Musa as his deputy and outlined a five-point development agenda for the state.

The ADC flag bearer, a former top federal civil servant from Mokwa Local Government Area, said his decision to contest the governorship election was motivated by the need to provide an alternative to the administration of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.

He expressed concern over what he described as persistent economic and social challenges confronting residents, including insecurity, unemployment, poor healthcare services, deteriorating infrastructure and the welfare of pensioners.

“ For too long, our people have waited. Our mothers in the markets still cry over high prices, our graduates are still roaming the streets, our hospitals lack drugs, our roads are bad and our farmers are afraid to go to the farm.

“This must change, and it must change under the ADC. We will run a government of the people, by the people and for the people,” Mohammed said.

Five-Point Agenda

Mohammed said an ADC-led administration would anchor its policies on five key areas: security; job creation and economic development; health and education; infrastructural renewal; and the regular payment of pensions.

On security, he said his administration would prioritize the protection of lives, property and livelihoods, particularly to restore the confidence of farmers and enable them to return safely to their farms.

He also pledged to pursue policies that would create employment opportunities, stimulate economic activities and improve the standard of living of residents across the state.

Healthcare and education, he said, would receive renewed attention, while infrastructure would be upgraded to address the challenges posed by poor roads and inadequate public facilities.

The ADC candidate further promised to prioritize the welfare of pensioners, stressing the need for an administration that would treat retirees with dignity by ensuring the payment of their entitlements.

i Am a Team player

Explaining his choice of Mamman Musa as running mate, Mohammed said governing a state as diverse as Niger required teamwork, competence, accountability and a shared commitment to public service.

He dismissed the idea that he possessed a “magic wand” capable of solving all the state’s challenges overnight, but pledged to build a government driven by hard work, transparency, accountability and collective responsibility.

“I am not a narcissist; I am a team player. And to our opponents, it is not a fight; it is about who can serve better,” he said.

He also urged voters to look beyond party affiliations when making their choice in the 2027 election, arguing that the contest should be about the future of Niger State and the next generation.

According to him, the ADC would give the people an opportunity to choose leaders based on competence, integrity and the capacity to deliver meaningful development.

Musa Brings Political Experience

Musa, the newly unveiled deputy governorship candidate, is a former Commissioner for Water Resources in 

Niger State, a position he held until 2023. 

He previously served as Commissioner for Sports under the administration of former Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.

His emergence on the ADC ticket adds another layer of interest to the 2027 political contest, particularly because his wife, Hajiya Hadiza Idris Kuta, currently serves as Commissioner for Women Affairs in the administration of Governor Bago.

Speaking after his unveiling, Musa assured Mohammed of his loyalty and commitment to the ADC ticket, pledging to work with the governorship candidate in the interest of the people of Niger State.

ADC Positions for 2027 Contest

The ADC is positioning its ticket as a major opposition platform ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with Mohammed promising to mount a strong challenge against the ruling APC.

Mohammed emerged as the ADC governorship candidate after winning the party’s primary election with 67,924 votes. His closest challenger, Alhaji Idris Usman, polled 27,769 votes.

With the unveiling of Musa and the presentation of its five-point agenda, the ADC has formally set out its political and development message as the 2027 governorship contest gathers momentum in Niger State.

For Mohammed, the campaign is not simply about defeating an incumbent political party, but about convincing voters that the state can chart a different course through a government built on security, economic opportunity, quality public services, infrastructure and accountability.