By Muhammad Mamman
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is poised to elect former Kano State governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, as its next national chairman—an emerging consensus that has unsettled the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition.
Tensions have further heightened with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) advancing the registration of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), a potential new political platform ahead of the 2027 elections.
Before ADC was adopted as a coalition vehicle, Shekarau and Umar Ardo—promoters of the League of Northern Democrats—had pushed for ADA’s registration to avert leadership disputes and questions of legitimacy. However, Yau Sule Yau clarified that Shekarau never formally joined the ADC coalition, noting that while he backs political collaboration for better governance, he remains a committed PDP member.
ADA is one of 14 associations that progressed to the next stage of INEC’s screening. Meanwhile, the PDP Governors’ Forum, chaired by Bauchi State governor Bala Mohammed, has endorsed Shekarau as consensus candidate for national chairman ahead of the party’s convention slated for 15–16 November in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The move has secured the blessing of former president Goodluck Jonathan and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who met recently in Abuja to review the evolving political landscape.
A close associate of both leaders revealed they commended Governor Mohammed’s efforts to stabilise the PDP and “wean it away from betrayals” that have weakened the party in recent years.
“The former president reiterated his worries about betrayals. He was displeased that some politicians thrive on false narratives to advance personal agendas. He expressed relief that Shekarau, a respected former Kano governor, is being considered to steer the PDP forward,” the source told The Guardian.
