Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has received the presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, at his palace in Sokoto.
The meeting, held on Monday, September 28, 2026, formed part of the NDC’s consultations with traditional rulers and community leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obi and Kwankwaso were accompanied by the NDC’s Sokoto State governorship candidate, Dr Shamsu Haido, and other party members.
The delegation used the visit to formally present its political ambitions to the Sultan while seeking his prayers, goodwill and counsel ahead of the elections.
According to the Sultan’s media team, the meeting was consistent with his position of receiving politicians from across the political divide.
A statement signed by Prince Bashir Adefaka on behalf of the Sultan’s Media Team said: “In continuation of his commitment to providing himself as a father figure to all Nigerians aspiring to political offices in 2027 without favouritism, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, on Monday, September 28, 2026, received the presidential candidate and vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, respectively, in his palace in Sokoto City, Sokoto State.”
The statement said the Sultan’s engagements were not restricted to the NDC, noting that he had also received representatives of other political groups preparing for the 2027 elections.
The latest visit came roughly two weeks after the Sultan hosted the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council.
The APC delegation, led by its Director-General, Senator Abdul-Aziz Abubakar Yari, visited the palace on September 14, 2026. The delegation included Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, among other members of the campaign council.
During that visit, Yari said the delegation was in Sokoto to seek the Sultan’s prayers, guidance and fatherly advice as the APC prepared for the 2027 election.
The Sultan subsequently appealed to political actors to ensure that their campaigns remained peaceful and centred on issues affecting Nigerians.
He also advised voters to scrutinise the programmes and promises of political parties and candidates before deciding whom to support at the polls.
NDC Continues Political Engagements in Sokoto
Following the palace visit, Obi and Kwankwaso continued their engagements in Sokoto, meeting residents and supporters as part of their political activities in the state.
The NDC candidates also participated in a town hall meeting where issues including insecurity, poverty, education and national development were discussed.
Kwankwaso later acknowledged the Sultan’s reception, describing the meeting as an opportunity to interact with the traditional ruler and expressing appreciation for the hospitality extended to the delegation.
The Sultan has repeatedly used meetings with political actors to advocate peaceful conduct during the electioneering period.
At his September 14 meeting with the APC campaign council, he cautioned politicians against exploiting insecurity and other national challenges for political division, stressing the need for serious attention to the country’s problems rather than partisan confrontation.
At Monday’s meeting with the NDC delegation, the Sultan similarly emphasised responsible political conduct, urging politicians and their supporters to respect one another and avoid statements or actions that could heighten tensions.
He also stressed the importance of safeguarding national unity throughout the electoral process.
The meeting with Obi and Kwankwaso was not described as an endorsement of the NDC presidential ticket. Rather, the Sultan’s media team presented his engagement with the candidates as part of his stated role as a father figure willing to receive Nigerians seeking elective office irrespective of their political affiliation.
With major political groups increasingly engaging traditional institutions ahead of the 2027 polls, the Sultanate Palace in Sokoto has become one of the venues for consultations between political actors and traditional leadership.
