PDP faults Sokoto North senatorial candidate’s withdrawal from race

The Sokoto State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has questioned the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal of its Sokoto North senatorial candidate, Ahmed Maccido, from the 2027 election.

Maccido, a former senator representing Sokoto North, announced his withdrawal in a letter dated September 30 and addressed to the PDP state chairman, Hayattu Tafida.

In the letter, Maccido described the decision as voluntary and said it was made without external pressure.

He did not state a reason for his withdrawal or disclose his next political move.

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However, Tafida said the timing of the withdrawal raised questions about possible influence from other political parties.

Asked whether he suspected external pressure, the PDP chairman said, “Obviously, there is.”

Tafida, however, did not provide evidence to support the allegation.

He said Maccido remained a politically influential figure with support in Sokoto North and Sokoto South, making his withdrawal surprising to the party.

The chairman also criticised the timing of the decision, saying it could make it difficult for the PDP 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.

Tafida said the state party leadership would deliberate on the withdrawal before forwarding the matter to the PDP national headquarters for further action.

He also dismissed suggestions that Maccido’s withdrawal would trigger further defections from the party, saying he did not expect other PDP candidates to follow him.

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