The Yan’Linta Movement has endorsed 21 governorship candidates across Nigeria ahead of the 2026 and 2027 elections, backing a mix of incumbent governors and opposition candidates.
The grassroots political movement announced the endorsements at a press briefing in Dutse on Tuesday, saying its selections were based on integrity, track record, leadership capacity and the ability to deliver democratic dividends.
The statement, signed by Engr. Abubakar Alkali for the Yan’Linta Movement Directorate of Media and Publicity and made available to journalists in Dutse, Jigawa State, said the decision followed consultations with political stakeholders, elders, youths, women’s groups and party structures across the affected states.
According to the movement, Yan’Linta will support candidates committed to purposeful leadership, inclusive governance, security and economic development, irrespective of their political parties.
In the Northwest, the movement endorsed Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, all of whom are seeking to retain their positions.
It also endorsed Mustapha Sule Lamido of the Peoples Democratic Party in Jigawa State and Yakubu Lado Danmarke of the PDP in Katsina State.
In Bauchi, Kebbi and Sokoto states, Yan’Linta endorsed Dr. Yakubu Adamu of the All Progressives Movement, Abubakar Chika Malami, SAN, of the African Democratic Congress and Mannir Dan Iya Walin Sokoto of the ADC, respectively.
In the Northeast, the movement endorsed Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami of the PDP in Gombe State, Engr. Mustapha Gubio of the All Progressives Congress in Borno State, Col. Kefas Agbu (retd.) of the APC in Taraba State and Barr. Kassim Gana Gaidam of the ADC in Yobe State.
The movement’s North-Central endorsements include Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia of the APC; Leke Joseph Abejide of the ADC in Kogi State; Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker Yakubu Salihu Danladi of the APC; Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada of the APC in Nasarawa State; Dr. Mohammed Kpautagi Mohammed of the ADC in Niger State; and retired Brig. Gen. John Sunday Sura of the ADC in Plateau State.
In the South, Yan’Linta endorsed Dr. Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson of the ADC in Rivers State, Chief Great Ofboru of the ADC in Delta State and Prince Adeleke of the AP in Osun State.
Yan’Linta said its political intervention would be guided by the principle of placing national interest above ethnic, religious and sectional interests.
The movement also pledged to work with its endorsed candidates to promote greater participation of youths and women in governance, targeting 35 per cent inclusion.
On security and economic development, the group said it would prioritise candidates with clear and practical plans to tackle insecurity, improve food security and create jobs.
Yan’Linta said it would unveil its full slate of presidential, senatorial, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly candidates in the affected states one month before the 2027 general elections.
It added that voter education, grassroots mobilisation and stakeholder engagement would begin immediately across the 21 states.
Yan’Linta called on Nigerians, political party members and other stakeholders to support its endorsed candidates, saying its goal was to promote leadership capable of building a more secure, prosperous and inclusive Nigeria.
Ibrahim Shuaibu
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