PDP Kano Primary: Dalhatu Defeats Mohammed Abacha in Clean Vote

KANO — Muhammad Dalhatu has defeated Mohammed Abacha, the son of former military ruler Sani Abacha, in the Peoples Democratic Party governorship primary for Kano State. The exercise was described by party officials and observers as transparent and hitch-free, a notable contrast to the controversy that surrounded many APC primaries across the country.

Dalhatu, a businessperson and PDP stalwart, polled a comfortable majority of delegate votes to clinch the party’s 2027 governorship ticket for Kano State. The result was announced by the PDP primary committee chairperson at the collation venue in Kano on Tuesday evening.

Dalhatu accepted the ticket with gratitude. He said his victory is a mandate from the people of Kano and a call to serve with integrity. He promised to address the economic hardship affecting millions of Kano residents and to restore confidence in democratic governance in the state.

“I give this victory to the glory of God and to the people of Kano, who deserve better leadership. Together we will build a Kano that works for everyone, not just the privileged few,” Dalhatu said in his acceptance speech.

Abacha’s Defeat

Mohammed Abacha’s defeat in the Kano PDP primary is politically significant. The Abacha family has maintained significant economic and political influence in Kano since Sani Abacha’s death in 1998. Mohammed has made multiple forays into Kano politics over the years without achieving electoral success.

The clean manner of his defeat, in a primary described as transparent and properly conducted, denies him a platform to claim the result was manipulated. PDP officials said the exercise followed all party rules and that delegates voted freely without interference.

Furthermore, Kano State is one of Nigeria’s most politically significant battlegrounds. As Nigeria’s most populous state, it carries enormous weight in national elections. The PDP’s choice of a credible candidate gives it a genuine platform to challenge the APC incumbent going into 2027.

Kano’s Political Landscape

Kano State is currently governed by the All Progressives Congress under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. However, Kano’s politics has historically been competitive and volatile. The state has switched between PDP and APC at different points, and the 2023 governorship election was itself deeply contested.

Dalhatu’s emergence gives the PDP a credible candidate to unite the party’s base in Kano ahead of 2027. However, he will need to navigate the complex web of political alliances, ethnic loyalties, and economic interests that define Kano politics if he is to mount a serious challenge to the incumbent.

The INEC May 30 deadline for primaries means Dalhatu is among the candidates who will be submitted to the commission before the cutoff. His primary victory has not been disputed, which means the PDP can move forward with planning its 2027 Kano campaign without the legal uncertainties that have plagued several APC primary results.