…Urges INEC To Uphold Rule Of Law

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

Dan’iya emerged as the flag bearer following a primary election conducted by delegates from the 244 wards across the state’s 23 Local Government Areas.

The Chief Returning Officer for the primary, Prof. Aminu Abubakar Illela, announced that Dan’iya polled 52,831 votes statewide.

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

In his acceptance speech, Dan’iya said he had accepted the nomination to serve the people of Sokoto and improve their welfare.

“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 pledged to be diligent and expressed confidence that the ADC would unseat the APC at all levels.

Dan’iya thanked the DC leader in the state and immediate past governor, Sen. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, as well as other party leaders and members for their confidence. He called for unity ahead of the elections.

Speaking at the event, Tambuwal commended party leaders and members for conducting the primaries peacefully and without violence.

He also called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amopitan, to resist external influence and uphold the rule of law in all electoral proceedings.

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

He alleged that some undemocratic actors were pressuring INEC to rush primaries to frustrate opposition parties.

He noted that primaries are constitutionally scheduled to be held between August and September.

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

Tambuwal urged the INEC chairman not to allow himself to be used by those seeking to weaken opposition in Nigeria and impose Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

He said Nigerians expect more from INEC, given Amopitan’s position as a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Tambuwal also said the ADC would field many young candidates in the forthcoming elections and expressed optimism about securing significant victories.

He called for patience, resilience, and free and fair polls across the country.