Sokoto PDP alleges external pressure behind candidate’s withdrawal

The Peoples Democratic Party in Sokoto State has raised questions over the sudden withdrawal of its Sokoto North senatorial candidate, Ahmed Maccido, from the 2027 election, alleging possible external political influence.

Maccido, a former senator representing Sokoto North, withdrew his candidature in a letter dated September 30, 2026, addressed to the PDP state chairman, Hayattu Tafida.

In the letter titled “Notice of Voluntary Withdrawal of Senatorial Candidature,” Maccido said his decision was voluntary and taken without external pressure.

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

Maccido did not state the reason for his withdrawal or disclose his next political move, fuelling speculation over his political future ahead of the 2027 elections.

His withdrawal comes amid intensified political realignments in Sokoto State, with political parties positioning themselves for the 2027 elections and courting influential political figures across the state.

Reacting to the development on Tuesday, Tafida questioned the timing of the senator’s decision.

Asked whether he suspected pressure from other parties as a factor behind Maccido’s withdrawal, the PDP chairman said, “Obviously, there is.”

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

The PDP chairman said Maccido remained a formidable politician capable of winning the election, making his withdrawal particularly surprising to the party.

“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.

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“He has a majority of followers, particularly in Sokoto North and Sokoto South,” Tafida said.

He expressed greater concern about the timing of the withdrawal, arguing that it came too late for the party to easily replace the 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.

Maccido’s letter was received and acknowledged by the PDP state secretariat on September 30.

Despite the development, Tafida dismissed speculation that Maccido’s withdrawal could trigger a mass defection of PDP candidates or supporters.

“I don’t think there will be any who would follow him,” he said.

He also rejected suggestions that the Sokoto PDP was operating under the national Rainbow Coalition arrangement.

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

On the next step, Tafida said the state leadership would deliberate on the withdrawal before forwarding the matter to the PDP national headquarters.

“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.