Kano PDP Affirms Abacha As Governorship Candidate

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State has affirmed Muhammad Sani Abacha as its governorship candidate for the forthcoming election following the withdrawal of its earlier candidate, Muhammad Bello Dalha.

At an expanded state executive committee meeting in Kano on Wednesday, the state party Chairman, Dr Bello Gambo Bichi, said the affirmation and replacement primary were conducted in line with the party’s constitution and electoral laws.He said Dalha, who won the party’s earlier primary, withdrew his candidacy following consultations among stakeholders in Kano and Abuja.

“Last time we did a primary election in which Muhammad Bello Dalha was declared winner. But following consultations among stakeholders in Kano and Abuja, the candidate decided to withdraw.

“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.

The affirmation was followed by a replacement primary, where Abacha was formally declared winner by the panel chairman, Dr Abba Abdullahi.

Abdullahi said the exercise was conducted in accordance with the party’s guidelines and electoral regulations, adding that Abacha had met all nomination requirements.

As part of the reconciliation process, the party resolved its internal factional dispute by conceding the deputy governorship slot to the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki group.

Consequently, the former factional chairman of the party and ex-commissioner for Land and Agriculture, Alhaji Yusuf Ado Kibiya, was named deputy governorship candidate.

“After wide consultation and reconciliation, we agreed to give the deputy governorship slot to the Turaki faction here in Kano. With this, there is no more faction in Kano PDP. We have reconciled,” Bichi said.

He added that representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) witnessed the process.

Bichi also disclosed that some National Assembly and State Assembly candidates were replaced as part of the reconciliation arrangement to accommodate members of the faction.

He said the party had resolved its differences ahead of the polls.

Daily Trust reported that Abacha had been the party’s candidate in consecutive elections.

In the 2023 governorship election, he came third behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) in an election won by the then New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).