Former Senator Maccido Dumps PDP, Joins ADC in Major Sokoto Political Shift Ahead of 2027
Sokoto, Nigeria – October 6, 2026—In a significant development ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Senator Ahmad Muhammad Maccido has withdrawn his candidacy under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), according to reports circulating widely on social media and confirmed by party-aligned accounts.
Maccido, a two-term former senator who represented Sokoto North Senatorial District and the son of the late Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Maccido, had been listed as the PDP candidate for the same constituency.
In a formal letter dated September 30, 2026, addressed to the Sokoto State PDP Chairman, Hon. Hayattu Tafida, he announced his voluntary withdrawal from the senatorial contest.
PDP Raises Concerns Over Timing and Motive
The Sokoto PDP leadership reacted with surprise and suspicion. State Chairman Tafida acknowledged Maccido’s political influence and strong grassroots following across Sokoto North and South, describing him as a figure capable of winning the election on his own merit.
However, he questioned the timing of the withdrawal, noting that it came late in the process and could complicate the party’s efforts to field a replacement candidate.
Tafida also pointed to possible influence from the ADC, asking why the opposition party had not offered Maccido its ticket earlier if it valued him so highly. “Obviously, there is,” he said when asked about suspected ADC involvement.
ADC Celebrates the Defection
ADC-aligned platforms quickly framed the move as a major boost. Accounts linked to the party announced that Maccido had formally joined their fold, with some supporters predicting that the development would significantly strengthen Atiku Abubakar’s presidential chances in Sokoto State.
Photos circulating with the announcements show Maccido alongside Atiku and other opposition figures under campaign branding for the 2027 race.
The defection fits into a broader pattern of political realignment in Sokoto. Former Governor Aminu Tambuwal earlier left the PDP for the ADC, while other high-profile figures have shifted between the PDP, APC, and ADC in recent months amid intense competition for control of the state ahead of next year’s elections.
Who Is Ahmad Muhammad Maccido?
Born into the influential Maccido family of the Sokoto Sultanate, Ahmad Muhammad Maccido previously served as Senator for Sokoto North from 2007 to 2015 under the PDP.
He held key committee roles, including involvement with the Senate Committee on Appropriations, and was known for constituency projects focused on education, infrastructure, and youth empowerment.
His royal lineage and longstanding political network have made him a notable player in northern Nigerian politics.
What It Means for 2027
With Atiku Abubakar as the ADC presidential candidate, every high-profile defection in the North-West carries symbolic and organizational weight.
Sokoto remains a key battleground, and Maccido’s move adds another layer of complexity for both the ruling APC and the opposition PDP as they recalibrate their strategies.
As of now, Maccido has not issued a detailed personal statement explaining his decision beyond the formal withdrawal letter.
Political observers will be watching closely to see whether his arrival further consolidates the ADC’s growing presence in Sokoto or triggers additional shifts among remaining PDP stakeholders.
The 2027 elections are still months away, but the realignments already unfolding in states like Sokoto suggest that the political map of the North-West is far from settled.
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