Adamawa State is heading towards a competitive 2027 governorship election, with Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s impending departure, shifting party loyalties and disagreements among influential political figures reshaping the contest.
The political landscape has changed considerably since the 2023 election, when Fintiri and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar worked together under the Peoples Democratic Party to defeat the All Progressives Congress.
Fintiri’s defection to the APC in February 2026 has strengthened the ruling party’s position in the state, while Atiku’s support for the African Democratic Congress has created another centre of political influence.
APC banks on incumbency
The APC candidate, Tijjani Galadima, is regarded by analysts as a strong contender because of the backing of the state and federal governments and the party’s organisational structure.
Galadima, an agriculture graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, also holds a master’s degree in banking and finance from the University of Ibadan.
He previously served as executive secretary and chief executive officer of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, overseeing human-capital development and scholarship programmes.
His campaign’s Adamawa Rising Agenda promises to build on the Fintiri administration’s infrastructure projects, improve transparency, promote agricultural industrialisation and expand access to healthcare and solar-powered electricity.
However, his chances could be affected by the emergence of Abdulrahman Haske, who left the APC after disputing the outcome of its governorship primary.
Haske offers an alternative
Haske, a businessman and candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, has interests in oil services, agriculture, information technology and logistics through his AA&R Investment Group.
Educated at the American University of Nigeria and Manchester Business School, he is campaigning on industrial development, private-sector efficiency and agricultural transformation.
His defection also attracted three members of the Adamawa State House of Assembly representing Yola South, Nasarawo Binyeri and Numan, who secured APM tickets to seek re-election.
Haske’s choice of retired NNPC Limited general manager Safriel Glah as his running mate has further shaped the party’s campaign.
ADC battles over its ticket
The ADC’s governorship candidate, Hamman Modibbo, is a public finance administrator who became the pioneer director and chief executive officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.
He holds a master’s degree in international business from the University of Salford and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Maiduguri.
His campaign emphasises financial discipline, institutional reform, transparency and security in communities and border areas.
However, the party’s ticket remains disputed, as former Nigerian Ports Authority managing director Umar Suleiman maintains that he won the May primary and has obtained court injunctions challenging his replacement.
Although ADC national leaders and Atiku endorsed Modibbo in August, another aspirant, Muhammad Shuwa, is backed by the Nafiu Bala faction, leaving three individuals claiming the party’s ticket.
Binani and Abbo pursue separate paths
Former senator Aishatu Ahmed, popularly known as Binani, is contesting under the Nigeria Democratic Congress after previously representing Adamawa Central in the Senate from 2019 to 2023.
A civil engineer by training, she previously represented Yola North, Yola South and Girei in the House of Representatives and was the APC governorship candidate in 2023.
Her campaign focuses on grassroots welfare, healthcare access and economic opportunities for women and small businesses, although allegations of irregularities during the NDC primary have also surrounded her candidacy.
Former senator Ishaku Abbo, who represents the Labour Party in the race, is seeking to mobilise young voters through a campaign centred on social justice, rural infrastructure and grassroots participation.
Abbo represented Adamawa North in the Senate from 2019 to 2023 and returned after the 2023 election before a court nullified his victory.
PDP faces an internal contest
The PDP candidate, Maurice Vunobolki, is a chartered accountant and international development consultant with experience in financial management, public procurement and development projects.
His candidacy is challenged by Caleb Myebangara, who belongs to the faction led by Tanimu Turaki and is campaigning while awaiting the outcome of its case before the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
What could decide the election?
The head of the Department of Political Science at Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Mahdi Abba, said the major parties had distinct advantages that could make the contest closely fought.
He argued that Galadima could benefit from incumbency and government machinery, while Modibbo could draw strength from Atiku’s political influence.
“Historical voting trends in the state demonstrate a strong correlation between Atiku’s party affiliation and gubernatorial success—evidenced by APC’s victory in 2015 when he was a member, followed by PDP’s victories in 2019 and 2023 after his return to the party. With Atiku now backing the ADC, the party is set to make a significant impact”, Abba said.
Abba also identified Binani’s grassroots network and Abbo’s support in northern Adamawa as potential advantages, while suggesting that divisions among candidates with overlapping support bases could benefit the PDP.
With competing party structures, disputed nominations and influential political figures backing different camps, the outcome will depend on how effectively the candidates convert their alliances and local support into votes.
