19 candidates to contest Sokoto gov seat in 2027

No fewer than 19 candidates have been listed to contest the Sokoto State governorship election scheduled for 2027, according to the list displayed by the Independent National Electoral Commission at its state office on Saturday.

The list, sighted by our correspondent during a visit to the commission’s office, showed candidates from various political parties jostling for the state’s top political office.

Among the political parties listed are 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.

Those listed include 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, of the APC.

The development has widened the field ahead of the election, with the various candidates expected to commence or intensify consultations, mobilisation and other political activities as the 2027 poll approaches.

However, the PDP’s entry into the race has been clouded by the party’s unresolved internal crisis, with Abdullah Sokoto Abubakar listed as the candidate produced by the faction associated with the Wike/Bature camp.

Reacting to the development, the Publicity Secretary of the other PDP faction, Hassan Sahabi Sanyinnawal, said the group was studying the situation and would announce its position after due consideration.

“We are studying the situation carefully and will make our position known to the public soon,” Sanyinnawal said.

He also appealed to PDP supporters to remain calm and avoid actions capable of escalating 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 internal developments within the PDP are expected to remain a major issue in the political build-up to the 2027 election, particularly as the party seeks to consolidate its position ahead of the poll.

With 19 candidates listed, the Sokoto governorship race is expected to witness a competitive campaign, with the APC, PDP, ADC and other parties seeking to win the support of voters across the state.