Hon. Sani Aliyu Danlami, a member of the House of Representatives has lost his bid to secure the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the 2027 election in Katsina Central Federal Constituency.
Danlami, who is serving his second term at the Green Chamber was beaten after days of intense consultations among party stakeholders and influential figures.
Stakeholders are said to have settled for Abba Mangal, the son of billionaire businessman, Dahiru Mangal as the party’s flag bearer.
The result represents a major political change in the constituency, considering Danlami’s incumbency and his existing grassroots support.
Party insiders said the decision followed extensive negotiations to reach a consensus acceptable to key stakeholders, Daily Trust reported.
The emergence of Abba Mangal, a legal practitioner, has stirred reactions within political circles, especially as he did not publicly declare interest in the race prior to the decision, Naija News reports.
Responding to the development, Danlami accepted the outcome of the consensus process and called on his supporters to remain peaceful.
The lawmaker, in a statement, called on party faithful to avoid violence and put unity first.
He stressed the need to maintain stability within both the party and the state despite the outcome of the exercise.
According to sources familiar with the process, the consensus arrangement spanned two days, from Tuesday to Thursday, and involved several rounds of talks between aspirants and their backers.
The sources said the contest was keenly fought as several big names lobbied hard for the ticket.
Among those said to have jostled for the position are Lawal Amadu Joka, a former Aide-de-Camp to ex-governor Aminu Bello Masari; Haruna Maiwada; Ibrahim Ali Guguwa; Sani Danlami; and Hon. Abdurashid Abba.
Dahiru Mangal is widely regarded as a powerful figure in Katsina’s political landscape, with influence spanning two decades.
His political involvement dated back to his support for the late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s successful re-election as governor in 2003.
Since then, he is thought to have been instrumental in influencing major political appointments and electoral results throughout the state.
But the arrival of Abba Mangal is the first time a member of his immediate family is running for elective office.
