Abacha Scion Storms Kano Guber Race: PDP Taps His Son As Candidate

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State has officially replaced its earlier governorship candidate, Muhammad Bello Dalhatu, with Muhammad Sani Abacha, son of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha. This significant development occurred ahead of the 2027 election, following Dalhatu’s voluntary withdrawal from the race. The party conducted a replacement primary on Wednesday to select its new flag-bearer.

Dr. Bello Gambo Bichi, the Kano State PDP chairman, announced this decision at an expanded meeting of the state executive committee. He explained that Dalhatu, who had initially emerged as the winner of the party’s governorship primary, decided to withdraw after extensive consultations among party stakeholders in both Kano and Abuja. Bichi clarified the legal basis for the replacement, stating, "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."

The replacement exercise was meticulously overseen by a panel chaired by Dr. Abba Abdullahi. Abdullahi confirmed Abacha's victory after he successfully met all nomination requirements, assuring that the process adhered strictly to the party’s guidelines and all applicable electoral regulations. Representatives from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were present to witness the entire proceeding, ensuring transparency and compliance.

In a related move aimed at fostering unity within the party, the Kano PDP also addressed its internal factional disputes. As part of a comprehensive reconciliation agreement, the deputy governorship slot was allocated to the group associated with former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki. Consequently, Alhaji Yusuf Ado Kibiya, a former factional chairman of the party and former Commissioner for Land and Agriculture, was officially named as Muhammad Sani Abacha’s running mate.

Chairman Bichi emphasized that this decision was a result of wide consultation and strenuous reconciliation efforts among the party’s previously rival factions. "After a wide consultation and reconciliation, we agreed to give the deputy governorship slot to the Turaki faction here in Kano. With this, there is no faction in Kano PDP. We have reconciled," he declared, signalling an end to internal divisions. Furthermore, some candidates for the National Assembly and Kano State House of Assembly were also replaced as part of this broader reconciliation arrangement, designed to accommodate members of the previously opposing faction and strengthen the party’s organization ahead of the 2027 elections.

This marks a return for Muhammad Sani Abacha to the Kano governorship race. He previously sought the PDP governorship ticket earlier this year but lost the primary to Dalhatu, polling 749 votes against Dalhatu's 2,233. Abacha had also contested the 2019 Kano governorship election under the platform of the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance. His current emergence as the PDP candidate follows Dalhatu’s withdrawal and the party’s subsequent, legally mandated replacement process.

Bichi expressed strong confidence in the party’s prospects following these significant developments, describing it as a "new phase" for the Kano PDP. He urged all party leaders, stakeholders, members, and supporters to unite behind the new candidates, affirming his belief that the PDP is well-positioned to win the next general election in Kano State.