The Yan’Linta Movement has endorsed 21 gubernatorial 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 Abuja on Tuesday, saying its selections were based on integrity, track record, leadership capacity and the ability to deliver democratic dividends.
The statement was signed by Engr. Abubakar Alkali for the Yan’Linta Movement Directorate of Media and Publicity, Abuja, and made available to journalists.
The movement said the decision followed consultations with political stakeholders, elders, youths, women’s groups and party structures in the respective states.
According to the statement, Yan’Linta will support candidates committed to purposeful leadership, inclusive governance, security and economic development, regardless of their political party.
In the Northwest, the movement endorsed Kano Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf, Kaduna Gov. Uba Sani and Zamfara Gov. Dauda Lawal, all of whom are seeking to retain their positions.
It also endorsed Mustapha Sule Lamido of the Peoples Democratic Party in Jigawa and Yakubu Lado Danmarke of the PDP in Katsina.
In Bauchi, Kebbi and Sokoto, the movement 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, Yan’Linta endorsed Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami of the PDP in Gombe, Engr. Mustapha Gubio of the All Progressives Congress in Borno, Col. Kefas Agbu (retd.) of the APC in Taraba and Barr. Kassim Gana Gaidam of the ADC in Yobe.
The movement’s Northcentral endorsements include Benue Gov. Hyacinth Alia of the APC; Leke Joseph Abejide of the ADC in Kogi; Kwara House of Assembly Speaker Yakubu Salihu Danladi of the APC; Sen. Ahmed Aliyu Wadada of the APC in Nasarawa; Dr. Mohammed Kpautagi Mohammed of the ADC in Niger; and retired Brig. Gen. John Sunday Sura of the ADC in Plateau.
In the South, the movement endorsed Dr. Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson of the ADC in Rivers, Chief Great Ofboru of the ADC in Delta and Prince Adeleke of the AP in Osun.
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, with a target of 35% inclusion.
On security and economic development, it said it would prioritize candidates with clear and practical plans to tackle insecurity, improve food security and create jobs.
The movement 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 said voter education, grassroots mobilization 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.