PDP replaces Kano gov candidate with Abacha’s son

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State has replaced its earlier governorship candidate, Muhammad Bello Dalha, with Muhammad Sani Abacha ahead of the 2027 election.

The change followed Dalha’s withdrawal from the race after consultations with party stakeholders, according to the state PDP leadership.

The party subsequently conducted a fresh governorship primary to formally select Abacha as its candidate.

Speaking after the exercise, the PDP chairman in Kano, Abba Bichi, said Dalha’s decision to step down was reached after consultations within the party.

Abacha emerged from the replacement primary conducted to fill the vacancy created by Dalha’s withdrawal.

The former military ruler’s son was subsequently declared the party’s governorship candidate by the electoral committee chairman, Abba Abdullahi.

The development also affected the party’s choice of running mate.

Bichi said the deputy governorship slot was allocated to the faction led by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, with Yusuf Ado Kibiya emerging as Abacha’s running mate.

The party chairman said the changes were part of efforts to reconcile the different tendencies within the Kano PDP and present a united structure ahead of the 2027 election.

He said there was no longer any faction within the party, adding that representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission witnessed the replacement process.

The latest changes were not limited to the governorship ticket, as the party also replaced some of its candidates for seats in the Kano State House of Assembly.

Abacha is not new to the Kano governorship race. He contested the 2023 election on the PDP platform and finished third in the poll.

His emergence as the PDP’s candidate again places him at the centre of the party’s preparations for the 2027 governorship election in the state.