The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State has chosen Alhaji Muhammad Sani Abacha, son of former Head of State General Sani Abacha, as its candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
Abacha’s emergence followed the withdrawal of the party’s earlier flagbearer, Muhammad Bello Dalha.
The decision was reached on Wednesday at an expanded meeting of the state executive committee in Kano, where the party held an affirmation and replacement primary.
PDP state chairman, Dr Bello Gambo Bichi, said the process complied with the party’s constitution as well as applicable electoral laws.
According to Bichi, Bello Dalha had initially won the party’s primary but subsequently stepped down after consultations involving PDP stakeholders in Kano and Abuja.
“The law says that as a result of withdrawal, a replacement primary must be held. That is what brought us here today. We have affirmed Muhammad Sani Abacha as the gubernatorial candidate of our great party in Kano State,” Bichi said.
Following the affirmation, the party conducted a replacement primary during which Abacha was officially declared the winner by the electoral panel chairman, Dr Abba Abdullahi.
Abdullahi said the exercise was conducted in accordance with the party’s rules and relevant electoral regulations, noting that Abacha fulfilled the conditions required for nomination.
In a move aimed at resolving divisions within the party, the PDP also assigned the deputy governorship ticket to the group headed by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.
The party then selected former factional chairman and ex-Commissioner for Land and Agriculture, Alhaji Yusuf Ado Kibiya, as Abacha’s running mate.
Bichi said the decision followed consultations and reconciliation efforts involving the various factions within the party.
“As part of the reconciliation process, we also replaced some of our National Assembly and State Assembly candidates. Representatives of INEC were present and witnessed the entire exercise,” he said.
