All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidates - 2015

Kano

Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is a Nigerian politician, former Kano State governor (2015–2023), and current APC national chairman, known for his political career spanning education, governance, and party leadership in Kano State.

Kaduna

Nigerian politician Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, born in Daudawa (Katsina State) and educated at Ahmadu Bello University and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, served as Kaduna State Governor (2015–2023), won over 1.1 million votes in both 2015 and 2019 governorship elections, and later joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after defecting from APC to SDP. Currently arrested for corruption allegations, he is running as an ADC candidate in the 2027 presidential elections.

Katsina

Nigerian politician Aminu Bello Masari, born 1950 in Katsina State, has served as APC governor since 2015, previously holding offices in state government and the House of Representatives. His tenure includes allegations of financial mismanagement and legal disputes over local governance transitions.

Lagos

Akinwunmi Ambode, born 1963 in Lagos, transitioned from civil service as Accountant General to APC Governor (2015–2018) before retiring to found consulting firms and alumni initiatives.

Zamfara

Nigerian politician Alhaji Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, born in 1968, served as Zamfara State Governor (ANPP/APC) and contested multiple elections, including Senate. His tenure was marked by allegations of corruption and legal investigations into financial misconduct.

Bauchi

Nigerian politician Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar (b. 1956) served as Bauchi State Governor (APC) from 2015–2019, rising through civil service, legal practice, and electoral commissions before his first gubernatorial win in 2015.

Borno

Nigerian politician Kashim Shettima, a Kanuri Muslim from Borno State, is known for his roles as governor (2011–2019) and senator (2019–2023), serving as current Vice President since 2023.

Jigawa

Nigerian politician Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, a Hausa from Babura, is known for his roles as Jigawa Governor (2015–2023), Minister of Defence (since 2023), and business leader with ties to agriculture, manufacturing, and commerce. A former ACN gubernatorial candidate, he won in 2015 and 2019 elections.

Sokoto

A lawyer-turned-politician, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal won Sokoto State governorship twice (2015–2023), served in the House of Representatives (2003–2015), and chaired the Senate’s Housing Committee since 2023. His tenure included infrastructure projects but also faced corruption allegations.

Niger

Nigerian politician Abubakar Sani Bello (born 1967) is an APC senator from Niger North, formerly governor of Niger State (2015–2023), known for education reforms and electoral wins in 2015 and 2019.

Plateau

Nigerian lawyer-turned-politician Simon Bako Lalong (born 1963) served as Plateau State governor (APC, 2015–2023), lost a Senate race in 2023 but was later declared winner by appeal, and has held senior legislative roles since the 1990s.

Kebbi

Abubakar Atiku Bagudu is a Kebbi-based politician (APC) known for governance in Kebbi State (2015–2023), including infrastructure projects, healthcare reforms, and budgetary leadership as Minister of Budget since 2023. His candidacies include wins in 2015/2019 gubernatorial elections and a loss in the 2023 Senate election.

Benue

Samuel Ortom is a Tiv Christian politician from Benue State with qualifications including ND, ADPM, MPA, and a Ph.D. by distance learning; he served as APC/PDP governor (2015–2023) and held ministerial roles under Goodluck Jonathan.

Imo

Igbo politician Owelle Rochas Okorocha won Imo’s 2015 APC governorship election with 416,996 votes and served as Imo State Governor since 2011.

Oyo

Abiola Ajimobi, twice-elected Governor of Oyo State (APC), is known for his electoral success and dual terms in office.

Nasarawa

Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, a Nasarawa-based politician and businessman, served as APC governor (2011–2023) before winning Senate in 2019 and losing in 2023. Known for business ventures and political leadership spanning NPN, NRC, PDP, and CPC affiliations.

Ogun

Nigerian politician Ibikunle Amosun (b. 1958), a former Ogun State governor (APC) and two-term senator, holds degrees from the University of Westminster and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic; his political career spans governorships (2011–2019) and senatorial terms, marked by awards but also controversies over alleged illegal arms imports.

Kwara

Abdulfatah Ahmed, born in 1963 in Kwara State, is a former banker turned politician who served as APC Governor (2015–2019) with a record of 295,832 votes. His tenure included infrastructure projects and education reforms but faced allegations of corruption during investigations into state fund mismanagement.

Taraba

Aisha Alhassan, born on 1959-09-16 from Jalingo, was an APC principal candidate in Taraba’s 2015 governorship election but lost with 275984 votes.

Gombe

Yahaya Mohammed Inuwa, a male from Gombe state’s APC ticket, contested the 2015 Gombe governorship election as principal candidate but lost with 205,132 votes.

Rivers

Former NIMASA DG and APC politician Dakuku Peterside lost the 2015 Rivers State governorship election with 124,896 votes, previously serving as a House of Representative member.