Rallies and Promises Sweep Nigeria as APC, ADC, PDP, and SDP Kick Off Hot Campaigns for 28 Governorship Seats

Nigeria’s political landscape has erupted into feverish activity across all six geopolitical zones as candidates for governorship and State Houses of Assembly formally launched their campaign machineries in line with statutory guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The formal opening of the sub-national campaign window marks the beginning of an intense scramble for votes across 28 states, with eight states exempted due to off-cycle election timetables. Major contenders—including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP)—wasted no time rolling out rallies, releasing campaign visuals, and unveiling governance blueprints designed to sway millions of voters.

In commercial and political hubs such as Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Kaduna, and Abia, party secretariats and campaign directorates mobilized party faithful for rallies and grassroots town halls.

In Lagos, the ruling APC launched an extensive grassroots mobilization drive across the local government areas. State APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi declared that the party’s campaign would be strictly issue-driven, anchored on consolidating developmental strides, upgrading public infrastructure, and advancing socio-economic stability. Ojelabi expressed confidence that the ruling party’s established track record and institutional presence would deliver decisive victories at all levels.

Meanwhile, opposition platforms came out swinging with bold counter-proposals. In a rare display of regional coordination, ADC governorship candidates from across the seven North-West states converged in Abuja to unveil a joint governance agenda. The coalition criticized prevailing governance models across the zone, citing lingering rural insecurity, disrupted agricultural production, and inadequate social safety nets despite massive federal allocations. As a direct appeal to the workforce, the bloc pledged that any incoming ADC administration in the region would implement an enhanced minimum wage of ₦110,000 for public sector workers.

Across other battlegrounds, prominent contenders also stepped out to test their grassroots appeal. In Ogun State, PDP flagbearer Ladi Adebutu commenced voter outreach efforts, while in Abia, candidate Kelechi Anosike rallied supporters around alternative policy options. In the North, Governors Uba Sani of Kaduna and Abba Yusuf of Kano entered the campaign trenches to defend their stewardship and safeguard their political strongholds.

At the national level, electoral and security authorities have urged political actors to exercise restraint and maintain civility. Reminding candidates that the sub-national race coincides with ongoing federal campaigning, regulators cautioned against inflammatory rhetoric, voter intimidation, and campaign violence, emphasizing that political parties must keep their messages strictly focused on concrete solutions to Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.