Mohammed Abacha, son of former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kano State.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the Chairman of the Kano PDP faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, Bello Gambo-Bichi, announced Abacha's candidacy on Wednesday during the party's replacement governorship primary in Kano.
Gambo-Bichi also announced Alhaji Yusuf Ado-Kibiya, a former state chairman of the party and former commissioner, as Abacha’s running mate.
He explained that the replacement primary became necessary following the withdrawal of the party’s earlier candidate, Muhammad Dalha, after consultations among party stakeholders in Kano and Abuja.
According to him, the exercise was conducted in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the party’s guidelines.
“Kibiya’s nomination followed reconciliation between the two factions of the PDP in Kano,” he said.
Gambo-Bichi said the development has strengthened unity in the Kano PDP, noting that the reconciliation process also led to the replacement of some candidates for National and State Assembly seats.
He urged party leaders, stakeholders, members and supporters to rally behind the candidates and work collectively to strengthen the party.
He added that representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, were present to observe the exercise.
The chairman described the development as a new phase for the PDP in Kano, saying the party “is waxing stronger in Kano.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Gubernatorial Replacement Primary Election Panel, Abba Abdullahi, said the primary was conducted in accordance with the party’s constitution, guidelines, relevant regulations and applicable electoral laws.
He noted that Abacha’s nomination remains subject to statutory processes and scrutiny by relevant electoral authorities.
Abdullahi congratulated Abacha and called on PDP members, leaders and stakeholders to give him their full support and cooperation as the party’s flagbearer.
In March, INEC recognized the PDP faction backed by Wike and published its leadership on its website, with Abdulrahman Mohammed listed as the party’s national chairman.
