No fewer than 19 candidates have been listed for the Sokoto State governorship election scheduled for 2027, signalling a crowded political contest as parties position themselves for the battle ahead.
The list, displayed by the Independent National Electoral Commission at its Sokoto State office on Saturday, contains candidates representing a wide range of political parties.
Among the parties listed are the Action Alliance, Social Democratic Party, Action Peoples Party, Action Democratic Party, Allied Peoples Movement, Zenith Labour Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Peoples Redemption Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, National Rescue Movement, African Action Congress, Accord, Young Progressives Party, National Democratic Party, Labour Party, National Democratic Congress, Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress.
Those highlighted on the list include Aliyu Shamsudeen Ahmad of the NDC, Abdullah Sokoto Abubakar of the PDP, Manir Muhammad Dan’Iya of the ADC and incumbent Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto of the APC.
The development has widened the political field in Sokoto, with the candidates expected to intensify consultations, grassroots mobilisation and other preparations as the election draws closer.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu is seeking a second term on the APC platform after the party affirmed him as its governorship candidate earlier in the year.
His return to the race gives the ruling party the advantage of incumbency as it seeks to retain control of the state. The governor’s record in office, campaign structure and ability to consolidate support across the state are expected to feature prominently in the contest.
The ADC is also emerging as one of the parties seeking to challenge the APC.
Former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan’Iya, is the party’s governorship candidate. Dan’Iya, who served as deputy governor under former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has already begun projecting an alternative political platform built around inclusive governance, accountability and development.
The PDP, however, enters the race with an unresolved internal dispute hanging over its candidacy.
Abdullah Sokoto Abubakar is listed as the party’s candidate from the faction associated with the Wike/Bature camp. The rival faction has yet to publicly accept the development.
Hassan Sahabi Sanyinnawal, publicity secretary of the other PDP faction, said the group was studying the situation and would announce its position.
“We are studying the situation carefully and will make our position known to the public soon,” he said.
He also appealed to party supporters to remain calm and avoid actions capable of worsening the crisis.
The dispute could become a major issue for the PDP as the party attempts to regain political ground in Sokoto. Any failure to resolve the disagreement could affect its campaign organisation, mobilisation and ability to present a united challenge to the APC.
The ADC has also strengthened its ticket with the selection of House of Representatives member Bello Isah Ambarura as Dan’Iya’s running mate.
With 19 candidates now listed, attention will increasingly shift to the strength of the individual parties, grassroots structures and campaign messages. The large field could produce a highly competitive contest, but it could also split opposition votes if the major challengers fail to build strategic alliances.
As political activity gathers momentum, Sokoto is set for a closely watched governorship battle, with the APC, PDP and ADC expected to attract much of the attention in the months leading to the 2027 poll.
