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Kano, Nigeria — September 16, 2026

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State has affirmed Alhaji Muhammad Sani Abacha, son of former military Head of State General Sani Abacha, as its candidate for the 2027 governorship election, following the withdrawal of its earlier flagbearer.

Kano PDP chairman Dr. Bello Gambo Bichi announced the development at an expanded meeting of the state executive committee on Wednesday, where the party conducted an affirmation and replacement primary. Bichi said the party’s original candidate, Alhaji Muhammad Bello Dalha (also rendered Dalhatu in some reports), had initially won the earlier governorship primary but subsequently withdrew from the race following consultations among stakeholders in Kano and Abuja.

“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 said.

Following the affirmation, the party held a replacement primary, with Abacha declared winner by the chairman of the electoral panel, Dr. Abba Abdullahi. Abdullahi said the exercise complied with PDP guidelines and applicable electoral regulations, and that Abacha met the requirements for nomination. Representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission reportedly witnessed the process.

Reconciliation and running mate

The replacement was framed as part of a broader effort to resolve longstanding factional divisions within the Kano PDP. As part of the reconciliation, the party allocated the deputy governorship slot to the group led by former Minister of Special Duties Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, subsequently naming Alhaji Yusuf Ado Kibiya — a former PDP state chairman and ex-commissioner for Land and Agriculture — as Abacha’s running mate. Bichi said the arrangement followed extensive consultations and reconciliation efforts between rival factions, and declared that no faction remained within the Kano PDP. The party also replaced a number of its National and State Assembly candidates as part of the same reconciliation process.

Background

This is not Abacha’s first bid for the Kano governorship; he previously contested the position on the PDP platform in the 2023 election, finishing third. His father, General Sani Abacha, ruled Nigeria as military Head of State from 1993 until his death in 1998, a period marked by significant human rights controversies alongside continuing debate over his economic policies.

The electoral panel chairman congratulated Abacha on his emergence and called on PDP members, leaders, and stakeholders across the state to unite behind his candidacy ahead of the 2027 general election.