In a statement issued on Saturday by National Publicity Secretary Osa Director, the party clarified that it possesses fully nominated candidates and robust structures across all 28 states where governorship polls will be conducted in 2027, alongside a presence across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Dismissing suggestions that it is a regional entity, the party published the official names of its standard-bearers for the 12 disputed states:

• Zamfara State: Senator Kabiru Marafa

• Borno State: Rtd Rear Admiral Ibrahim Sanusi Kasim

• Cross River State: Hon. John Odey

• Akwa Ibom State: Babanta Michael Okon

• Ebonyi State: Nwofe Boniface

• Plateau State: Yakubu Solomon Ndam

• Katsina State: Ilu-Barde Aliyu

• Kebbi State: Alhaji Umar Usman Besse

• Yobe State: Jonga Yahaya Gabakau

• Jigawa State: Dutse Aminu Sani

• Taraba State: Prof Yahaya Mohammed Sani

• Niger State: Abdu Sidi Bomi

Admonishing media practitioners to rigorously verify information before publication to protect the integrity of journalism and the democratic process, the NDC stated it remains unfazed by sponsored falsehoods. Emphasizing its dedication to issue-based politics, the party asserted that Nigerians are ready to break away from the old political order and back its agenda for job creation, security, and national accountability in 2027.

Speaking on the Open Forum 360 podcast with Dare Adekanmbi, Ogunyemi warned that bringing back the subsidy regime would trigger a severe economic crisis, arguing that only four states in Nigeria can survive independently without federal allocations. He cautioned Atiku to stop playing to the gallery and clearly outline the real-world consequences of his policy proposals instead of chasing votes at the expense of national stability.

According to the professor, returning the subsidy would inflict four major economic disabilities on the country:

• Massive Revenue Shrinkage: Reducing funds to the Federation Account—the financial lifeblood for over 30 states—would cause at least 15 northern states to completely collapse within three months.

• Inability to Pay Salaries and Pensions: State governments would slide back into financial incapacity, unable to cover basic consumption expenditures like staff salaries and pensions.

• Halt in Capital Development: With revenues severely depleted, the government would fail to support minimum operational costs, let alone fund capital projects.

• Default on Debt Obligations: Nigeria would become incapable of servicing its international and domestic debt obligations.