2027: ADC Backs Ex-Deputy Governor For Sokoto Gubernatorial Race

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally affirmed former Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, as its governorship candidate for the 2027 general election in Sokoto State.

Dan’iya emerged as the party’s flag bearer after a primary election conducted by delegates drawn from 244 wards across the state’s 23 local government areas.

The Chief Returning Officer for the exercise, Prof. Aminu Abubakar Illela, announced that Dan’iya secured a total of 52,831 votes to clinch the ticket.

“Consequently, I hereby declare you the sole candidate of the ADC in the 2027 general elections,” he said while announcing the result.

In his acceptance speech, Dan’iya said he was honoured by the nomination and pledged to focus on improving the welfare of the people of Sokoto State if elected.

“If Allah wills, we will defeat the APC party from top to bottom, because the people have felt firsthand the kind of governance being given to them,” he said.

He pledged to run a disciplined campaign and expressed confidence that the ADC was capable of unseating the All Progressives Congress (APC) at all levels in the state.

Dan’iya also thanked the state party leadership and supporters, as well as former Sokoto State Governor, Sen. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, for their backing, calling for unity ahead of the general elections.

Speaking at the event, Tambuwal commended party members for conducting what he described as peaceful and violence-free primaries across the state.

He also urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amopitan, to resist undue influence and uphold the rule of law in electoral matters.

“It is shameful for Amopitan to misinterpret a court judgment despite being a Professor of Law,” Tambuwal said.

He alleged that some political actors were attempting to pressure INEC into rushing primaries in a bid to undermine opposition parties.

Tambuwal noted that the Electoral Act provides a clear timetable for party primaries between August and September, insisting that due process must be followed.

“By God’s grace, we have conducted our State House of Assembly, National Assembly, and governorship primaries peacefully across the country,” he added.

He urged INEC not to be influenced by what he described as efforts to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.

Tambuwal also expressed optimism that the ADC would field strong candidates across different levels of government, including a significant number of young aspirants.

He called for patience, resilience, and the conduct of free and fair elections nationwide.