Unity Deal: Kano PDP Hands Governorship Ticket to Mohammed Abacha
By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul
KANO —- The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State has close ranks ahead of the 2027 governorship election, affirming Mohammed Sani Abacha as its flag bearer following a reconciliation agreement among key blocs within the party.
The development came after the party’s earlier governorship candidate, Muhammad Bello Dalhatu, voluntarily stepped down, paving the way for a replacement primary election in accordance with party rules and electoral provisions.
Addressing an expanded meeting of the State Executive Committee in Kano on Wednesday, the State Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Bello Gambo Bichi, said the decision was the outcome of extensive consultations involving party stakeholders both within and outside the state.
According to him, the withdrawal of the initial candidate necessitated a fresh process to produce a replacement, leading to the emergence of Abacha as the party’s new standard-bearer.
“Our party followed the provisions of the law and the PDP constitution. Following the withdrawal of the candidate who emerged from the earlier primary, a replacement process became necessary, and Mohammed Sani Abacha has now been affirmed as our governorship candidate,” Bichi said.
The chairman explained that the exercise formed part of broader efforts to strengthen internal cohesion and position the party for a more formidable challenge in the next general election.
Chairman of the replacement primary election panel, Dr. Abba Abdullahi, subsequently declared Abacha winner of the exercise, stating that the process complied with PDP guidelines and applicable electoral regulations.
He said the candidate fulfilled all constitutional requirements for nomination and was duly returned as the party’s governorship candidate.
In what party leaders described as a major breakthrough in the PDP’s internal reconciliation process, the deputy governorship ticket was ceded to the Turaki political group, a move aimed at ending years of factional disagreements within the state chapter.
The arrangement produced former factional PDP chairman and former Commissioner for Land and Agriculture, Alhaji Yusuf Ado Kibiya, as the party’s deputy governorship candidate.
Bichi said the agreement reflected the commitment of all stakeholders to rebuild the party on the foundation of unity and mutual understanding.
“After extensive consultations, we agreed to allocate the deputy governorship position to the Turaki group. With this understanding, there is no faction in Kano PDP anymore. We have reconciled and are moving forward together as one family,” he said.»
The PDP chairman added that the reconciliation framework also affected some National Assembly and State Assembly tickets, with adjustments made to accommodate various interests within the party.
He maintained that representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) observed the proceedings and expressed confidence that the renewed unity would energise the party’s grassroots structures across Kano State.
Bichi said the emergence of Abacha and the resolution of lingering disputes had opened a new chapter for the PDP, insisting that the party was now stronger and better prepared for the political contest ahead.
“With the reconciliation achieved and our candidates in place, we are focused on mobilising our supporters and working towards victory in the next general election,” he added.