Hon. Sani Aliyu Danlami, a House of Representatives member has lost his bid to clinch the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the 2027 election in Katsina Central Federal Constituency.
Danlami, who is currently in his second term at the Green Chamber, was replaced with a consensus candidate following days of intense consultations and backroom negotiations among party stakeholders and power brokers in the state.
Party leaders settled for Abba Mangal, son of businessman and founder of Max Air, Dahiru Mangal, as the consensus candidate to fly the APC flag in the constituency.
The development signals a major political shift in Katsina Central, given Danlami’s incumbency and established grassroots structure.
Abba Mangal, a legal practitioner, had not publicly declared interest in the race before his emergence, a move that has sparked reactions within political circles in the state.
Despite the outcome, Danlami has accepted the party’s decision, urging his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding.
In a statement, the lawmaker called on party faithful to shun violence and prioritise peace and unity, stressing the need to maintain stability within both the APC and Katsina State.
Sources familiar with the process told reporters that the consensus arrangement followed a two-day round of negotiations, spanning from Tuesday to Thursday, with multiple meetings involving aspirants and their political backers.
The contest was described as highly competitive, with several notable figures lobbying for the ticket.
Those who reportedly jostled for the position include 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 one of the most influential political figures in Katsina State.
He is known to have played a key role in shaping electoral outcomes, including his support for the late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s successful re-election as governor in 2003.
He has since been linked to the emergence of several political office holders and key appointments across the state.
However, the emergence of his son as a consensus candidate marks the first time a member of Mangal’s immediate family will be seeking elective office at this level.