The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared son of a former Jigawa State governor, Mustafa Sule-Lamido, winner of the party’s ticket for the state’s 2027 governorship race.
The Returning Officer for the primary election held in Dutse, Isa Ahmed, while affirming Mr Sule-Lamido as the sole candidate on Sunday, said that his emergence complied with the party’s constitution and guidelines.
Mr Sule-Lamido, who was also the party’s governorship candidate in 2023, thanked the leadership of the party for the peaceful conduct of the primaries across the state.
He congratulated other candidates of the PDP across the state, and pledged to promote unity in the fold.
He listed economic growth, youth empowerment, education, healthcare, social revival and institutional reform as priority areas if elected.
“This moment is not new to me. In 2023, you entrusted me with this same irresponsibility and together we ran a campaign rooted in unity, hope, reform and promise of a better Jigawa.
“Though we did not secure victory then, we earned the confidence of hundreds of thousands of our people and laid a strong foundation. We are back in the race today because the problems and challenges bedeviling our dear state are still with us,” he said.
Mr Sule-Lamido identified unprecedented hardship, bad governance and insensitive leadership as some of the challenges bedeviling the north-western state.
“We are not here to lament. We are here to fix the problems,” he said.
He decried the declining standard of education in Jigawa State and regretted that expectations of the citizens had not been met by government.
He promised to rebuild Jigawa into a state that works for all, where leadership is accountable and resources managed responsibly.
“We also intend to build a state where opportunities are accessible to every citizen,” he said.
He called on members of the party to unite and woo voters to ensure success in 2027.
“To the people of Jigawa, I hear you, I see you and I feel your pains; give me the opportunity to serve you,” Mr Sule-Lamido said.