From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
A retired Chief Financial Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Umar Ajiya, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Sokoto East Senatorial District following the party’s affirmation exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ajiya was affirmed alongside Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko for Sokoto North Senatorial District and Abdullahi Danbaba Dambuwa for Sokoto South Senatorial District.
The affirmation exercise, conducted across the state on Monday, was supervised by a 16-member committee from the APC national headquarters and monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and other stakeholders.
Ajiya’s emergence came weeks after he formally declared his intention to contest the Sokoto East Senate seat, citing insecurity, poor education, and rising poverty as major challenges confronting communities across the district.
Speaking shortly after the affirmation, Ajiya expressed concern over the worsening insecurity, declining educational standards, and economic hardship affecting the zone.
He pledged to work closely with the Sokoto State Government and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the challenges.
The APC candidate assured supporters that, if elected, his representation would complement ongoing efforts by both the state and federal governments to restore stability, improve access to education, and reduce poverty across the district.
