The Kano State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has affirmed Mohammed Abacha as its governorship candidate following the voluntary resignation of the party’s elected candidate, Muhammad Bello Dalhatu.
Speaking at an expanded state executive committee meeting in Kano, PDP Chairman, Dr Bello Gambo Bichi, said the affirmation was conducted in line with the party’s constitution and electoral laws.
“Last time we did a primary election in which Mohammed 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 explained.”
The affirmation was followed by a replacement primary election on September 16, where Abacha was formally declared the winner by the panel chairman, Dr Abba Abdullahi.
He confirmed that the exercise was conducted in line with PDP guidelines and electoral regulations, and that Abacha had satisfied all requirements for nomination.
Speaking further, the PDP state chairman, Bichi, also announced that the party had resolved its internal factional disputes by conceding the deputy governorship slot to the Turaki group.
Following the development, former factional PDP chairman and ex-Commissioner for Land and Agriculture, Alhaji Yusuf Ado Kibiya, was named as the new deputy governorship candidate.
“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 said, adding that representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) witnessed the process,” he said.
The PDP chairman disclosed that some National Assembly and state assembly candidates were also replaced as part of the reconciliation process. He insisted that the party was now united and “waxing stronger” ahead of the polls.
The affirmation of Muhammad Sani Abacha and the reconciliation with rival factions mark a turning point for the Kano PDP, which has struggled with internal divisions.
Party leaders said the unity move was aimed at strengthening their chances in the governorship race and consolidating support across the state.
The chairman said that, with the reconciliation and affirmation of Muhammad Abacha as the governorship candidate of Kano State, the party would win the next general election.