PDP faults senatorial candidate withdrawal in Sokoto

Sokoto State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has questioned the timing of former Senator Ahmed Muhammad Maccido’s withdrawal from the 2027 Sokoto North Senatorial District race, alleging possible influence from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Maccido, a former senator representing Sokoto North, formally notified the PDP of his decision to withdraw his candidature in a letter dated September 30, 2026, addressed to the state chairman, Hon. Hayattu Tafida.

In the letter titled, “Notice of Voluntary Withdrawal of Senatorial Candidature,” Maccido said the decision was voluntary and made of his own free will.

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He wrote, “I hereby formally notify the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of my voluntary withdrawal from my candidature for the Sokoto North Senatorial District election under the platform of the party.”

He also asked the party to acknowledge his withdrawal and process the necessary administrative and electoral requirements.

“This decision is made voluntarily and of my own free will. I respectfully request that the Party take note of my withdrawal and process the necessary administrative and electoral documentation accordingly,” he stated.

Maccido did not, however, disclose the reason for his decision or indicate whether he planned to join another political party or support another candidate.

But reacting to the development on Tuesday, Tafida expressed surprise at the withdrawal, saying Maccido was a politically influential figure capable of winning the election.

“What actually surprised me, particularly as the chairman of the party, is that ordinarily he can win the election on his own. He was a senator before and he knows what he has done when he was senator. He has a majority of followers, particularly in Sokoto North and Sokoto South,” Tafida said.

The PDP chairman then questioned the alleged relationship between Maccido and the ADC, suggesting that the opposition party may have played a role in the development.

“If actually ADC likes this man very much, why didn’t they give him the ticket in the first place?” he asked.

Asked specifically whether he suspected ADC influence in Maccido’s decision, Tafida said, “Obviously, there is.”

He, however, acknowledged Maccido’s political stature and his longstanding relationships across the state.

Tafida said his major concern was not merely the withdrawal but its timing, arguing that the decision came too late in the electoral process and could complicate the party’s efforts to replace its candidate.

“My only grouse with him is why didn’t he resign before this time, before the primaries? The process of changing a candidate is cumbersome, so you should have done that earlier than now to give the people room to put another candidate in,” he said.

According to him, the state party leadership would deliberate on the development before forwarding the matter to the national headquarters for further action.

“We just got this letter yesterday. I just came into the office now. When the leadership comes in, we’re going to discuss that and send it to the headquarters to know the way forward, insha Allah,” he said.

Tafida also dismissed fears that Maccido’s withdrawal could trigger further defections from the PDP.

“I don’t think there will be any who would follow him. Our candidates, no,” he said.

He maintained that the PDP remained strong in the state and urged its supporters not to be discouraged by the development.

“Our followers should understand that our party is still very strong. We know we have a good fellowship, particularly in Sokoto State,” Tafida said.

The chairman also rejected attempts to portray the Sokoto PDP as part of the national opposition Rainbow Coalition, insisting that the state chapter was focused on its own political structure.

“I have not mentioned that we are a Rainbow Coalition here in Sokoto. We are talking about Sokoto State,” he said.

Maccido’s withdrawal comes against the backdrop of intensified political realignments in Sokoto ahead of the 2027 elections, with the PDP, ADC and APC seeking to strengthen their structures and expand their influence across the state.