Tambuwal Withdraws from 2027 Senatorial Race, Backs ADC Consensus Candidate in Sokoto

Former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has pulled out of the 2027 Sokoto South senatorial race under the African Democratic Congress. The announcement today reshapes the opposition party’s positioning in Sokoto ahead of the polls.

Strategic withdrawal

With Tambuwal out, the ADC endorsed former Nigerian Ambassador Faruk Malami Yabo as its consensus candidate for the senatorial seat. Party insiders described the move as part of a broader restructuring within the ADC in Sokoto State as 2027 preparations pick up pace.

The party also settled its governorship ticket through consensus. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, who served as deputy governor under Tambuwal, emerged as the ADC’s governorship candidate.

Political calculations

Tambuwal’s political path has been anything but straight. He ran for president under the PDP in 2023 before stepping down for Atiku Abubakar, then defected to the ADC in March 2026 in a sign of shifting opposition alignments.

Stepping aside for a consensus candidate is being read as a move to consolidate support rather than risk a split opposition vote. For Tambuwal, it also keeps him relevant — backing the right candidate now could matter more than winning a senate seat on his own.

Sources: legit.ng, premiumtimesng.com, dailyreport.ng