Sokoto PDP Questions Timing of Maccido’s Withdrawal From Senatorial 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, notified the party of his decision in a letter dated September 30, 2026, addressed to the state PDP chairman, Hayattu Tafida.

In the letter, the former lawmaker described his decision as voluntary and said it was taken without external pressure. He, however, did not disclose the reason for his withdrawal or indicate his next political move.

Reacting to the development, Tafida questioned the timing of Maccido’s decision, suggesting that external political influence may have played a role.

Asked whether he suspected pressure from other political parties, the PDP chairman said, “Obviously, there is,” but did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegation.

Tafida said the withdrawal was particularly surprising because Maccido remained a politically influential figure with a strong following in Sokoto North and South.

He also faulted the timing of the decision, arguing that withdrawing after the primaries could make it difficult for the party to replace him within the electoral process.

“My only grouse with him is why didn’t he resign before this time, before the primaries?” the chairman said, noting that the process of replacing a candidate was cumbersome.

The Sokoto PDP chairman said the state leadership would deliberate on the matter before forwarding it to the party’s national headquarters for further action.

He, however, dismissed concerns that Maccido’s withdrawal would trigger a wave of defections among other PDP candidates and supporters in the state.

The development comes amid political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Maccido subsequently moving to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, where he was presented to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Abuja.