The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kano has moved to strengthen unity between its rival factions with the emergence of Alhaji Muhammad Abacha as its new governorship candidate and Alhaji Yusuf Ado-Kibiya as his running mate.
The development follows the withdrawal of the party’s earlier candidate, Alhaji Muhammad Dalha, after consultations among stakeholders in Kano and Abuja, with the reconciliation process also leading to changes in some National and State Assembly candidates.
Abacha, son of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, was affirmed as the party’s candidate during the replacement governorship primary election held in Kano.
The PDP State Chairman, Dr Bello Gambo-Bichi, announced the outcome of the exercise, saying the replacement process was conducted in line with the Electoral Act and relevant party guidelines.
He said Ado-Kibiya, a former PDP state chairman and commissioner, was selected as Abacha’s running mate as part of efforts to reconcile the two factions of the party in Kano. “Kibiya’s nomination followed reconciliation between the two factions of the PDP in Kano,” he said.
According to Gambo-Bichi, the reconciliation process had also resulted in the replacement of some of the party’s candidates for the National and State Assemblies.
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The chairman said the development had strengthened unity within the party and urged its leaders, stakeholders, members and supporters to rally behind the candidates and work collectively to strengthen the party.
He also said representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission were present during the exercise. Gambo-Bichi described the development as a new phase for the party, saying the PDP “is waxing stronger in Kano”.
Dr Abba Abdullahi, Chairman of the Gubernatorial Replacement Primary Election Panel, formally declared Abacha as the PDP’s nominated candidate.
Abdullahi said the replacement primary was conducted in accordance with the party’s constitution, guidelines, relevant regulations and applicable electoral laws.
He, however, said Abacha’s nomination remained subject to statutory processes and scrutiny by the relevant electoral authorities.
The panel chairman congratulated Abacha and urged PDP members, leaders and stakeholders to give him their support and cooperation as the party’s candidate.
