No fewer than 19 candidates have emerged for the 2027 Sokoto State governorship election, according to a list displayed by the Independent National Electoral Commission at its state office on Saturday.
The list, seen by our correspondent during a visit to the commission’s office, featured aspirants from several political parties seeking to take control of the state.
The parties represented include the Action Alliance, Social Democratic Party, Action Peoples Party, Action Democratic Party, Allied Peoples Movement, Zenith Labour Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Peoples Redemption Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, National Rescue Movement, African Action Congress, Accord, Young Progressives Party, National Democratic Party, Labour Party, National Democratic Congress, Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress.
Among the candidates are Aliyu Shamsudeen Ahmad of the NDC, Abdullah Sokoto Abubakar of the PDP, Manir Muhammad Dan’Iya of the ADC and the incumbent governor, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, who is flying the APC flag.
The development has expanded the contest ahead of the election, with the candidates expected to step up consultations, grassroots mobilisation and other political activities as the 2027 election draws closer.
However, the PDP’s participation has been complicated by its lingering internal crisis, as Abdullah Sokoto Abubakar was listed as the candidate backed by the faction linked to the Wike/Bature camp.
Reacting to the development, the Publicity Secretary of the rival PDP faction, Hassan Sahabi Sanyinnawal, said the group was assessing the situation and would make its position known after due consideration.
“We are studying the situation carefully and will make our position known to the public soon,” Sanyinnawal said.
He urged PDP supporters to remain calm and refrain from actions that could further worsen the disagreement within the party.
“We urge all our supporters to remain calm and patient. There is no need for anybody to panic or take any action in haste,” he added.
The PDP’s internal dispute is expected to remain a key talking point in the build-up to the 2027 election as the party works to strengthen its position ahead of the poll.
With 19 candidates on the list, the Sokoto governorship contest is set for a competitive campaign, as the APC, PDP, ADC and other parties battle for the support of voters across the state.
