Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Adamawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially dismissed widespread social media reports claiming that the party has dropped its governorship candidate, Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani Galadima, in favour of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, for the 2027 governorship election. The party described the allegations as entirely false, fabricated, and politically motivated, urging members and the public to disregard the speculation.
Reacting to the rumours in an exclusive interview with Arewa PUNCH on Thursday, June 11, 2026, the APC Publicity Secretary in Adamawa State, Dogo Victor, categorically stated that there was no truth to the claims and no such discussions had taken place within the party. "The list released on social media is fake. I saw it myself. There is no truth in it. It is the handiwork of enemies of democracy and those who want crisis in our great party because they see us winning the 2027 general elections," Victor said. He insisted that Galadima remains the party's duly elected flagbearer and that the APC leadership has no intention of replacing him.
The rumours, which gained traction online, alleged that the party's national leadership was considering substituting Galadima after purportedly assessing his grassroots popularity and finding it inadequate, particularly in rural areas where a large proportion of voters reside. The speculation further suggested that Ribadu, a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) who previously ran for governor in the state, was being positioned as a replacement due to his political experience and ambitions. Some reports also claimed that Galadima had only been a placeholder pending Ribadu's eventual entry into the race.
Victor, however, firmly rejected these narratives and urged party faithful to ignore what he described as unverified information aimed at creating unnecessary tension. "The party is focused on winning future elections, not on rumours being circulated by people who do not mean well for our progress," he added. He reaffirmed that the APC remains united and is committed to consolidating its structures ahead of the 2027 elections.
Galadima, a former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), emerged as the APC governorship candidate after a widely reported primary election held in May 2026. According to official results announced by the Chairman of the Election Committee, Professor Innocent Barikor, Galadima secured a decisive victory, polling 414,444 votes. His closest challenger, House of Representatives member Abdulrazak Namdas, came second with 86,004 votes, while Abdulrahman Haske finished third with 65,934 votes. Galadima's emergence was widely covered by national media, with many describing it as a significant step in the party's preparations for the 2027 polls.
Despite the party's strong denial, the speculation about Galadima's possible replacement has fuelled political tensions in Adamawa State. The Adamawa Central Senatorial Zone Elders have warned the APC leadership against alleged attempts to impose candidates, cautioning that such actions could trigger internal discontent and weaken support for the party. Addressing a press conference in Yola on Thursday, the group's spokesman, Alhaji Mohammed Jimeta, recalled the political events leading to the 2015 elections, warning the ruling party against repeating past mistakes. He argued that internal democracy and fairness must guide the party's selection process ahead of the next elections. "In 2015, President Goodluck Jonathan and other PDP chieftains sat in Abuja and appointed Malam Nuhu Ribadu as governorship candidate, but the people of Adamawa voted for the person they wanted as governor," Jimeta said, urging the APC to avoid a similar blunder.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, the Adamawa APC faces the dual challenge of maintaining internal cohesion while countering external narratives that could undermine its chances at the polls. For now, the party leadership has drawn a firm line: Galadima is its candidate, and any suggestion otherwise is false.
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