Mannir Dan-Iya, a former deputy governor of Sokoto State, has won the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship ticket for 2027.
The party held its primary election on Thursday. Delegates from all 244 wards across the 23 local government areas participated in the process.
Dan-Iya polled 52,831 votes across the state, according to the Chief Returning Officer, Prof. Aminu Abubakar Illela.
"I hereby declare you as the ADC candidate for the 2027 general elections," Prof. Illela announced at the event.
Accepting his ticket, Dan-Iya thanked party members for their backing. He promised to work hard and defeat the ruling government.
He acknowledged former governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal's support. Unity among members, he stressed, would be crucial moving forward.
Tambuwal, the party leader in Sokoto, expressed confidence in victory. He noted that the ADC had given several youths the chance to run in coming elections.
Party members must remain patient and resilient, Tambuwal told the gathering. He also called for transparent elections nationwide.
Dan-Iya served as deputy governor between 2018 and 2023 under Tambuwal's administration. The party picked him as consensus candidate weeks ago.
Ten aspirants had expressed interest in the governorship race initially. Among them were Senator Ibrahim Lamido of Sokoto East and former ambassador Faruk Malami Yabo.
Former Transportation Minister Yusuf Suleiman was also in the running. So was Saidu Umar, who contested as PDP's candidate in 2023.
Dan-Iya's emergence marks a major shift for the ADC in Sokoto State. The party hopes to challenge the incumbent administration in the 2027 polls.
