The [Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)](https://www.inecnigeria.org/) published its official roster of governorship aspirants on Saturday, confirming that Chinda Ogundu will contest the election under the banner of the [All Progressives Congress (APC)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Progressives_Congress) in [Rivers State](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivers_State). The declaration comes as the party finalises its campaign strategy ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial race.
The released list also records candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alongside representatives of other registered parties.
Among the additional names on the INEC sheet are Gashash Mukhtar of Party A, Haruna Abdullahi of the Action Alliance (AA), Sharif Abba of the African Action Congress (AAC), Ibrahim Ali Amin of the ADC, and Muhammad Abdullahi of the Action Democratic Party (ADP).
Daily Post reported that the New Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, as well as Isa Pantami of the PDP in Gombe State, were omitted from the published roster.
**What impact does the list have on the Rivers governorship contest?**
The confirmation of Ogundu solidifies the APC’s position in the state, giving voters a clear choice among the major parties and setting the stage for intensified campaigning as the election approaches.