Kebbi Central senatorial hopeful Kabiru Sani Giant has ruled out stepping aside for incumbent Senator Adamu Aliero ahead of the National Assembly primaries slated for 18 May 2026.
Speaking to reporters after filing his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms, Giant said he will contest the seat in an open primary and rejects any “consensus” arrangement that would pre‑empt a vote. “If the incumbents have achievements to show, they should present them to the people. It is the people who will decide,” he told the press.
Giant stressed that voters in Kebbi Central are ready for a new direction and that he is prepared to face any challenge in a transparent, direct primary. “We are ready. We don’t want consensus. With direct primaries the people will decide who they want. I am ready to face any challenge,” he added.
The aspirant questioned the rationale behind a consensus solution, noting that his supporters expect a genuine contest that allows the electorate to choose their preferred candidate. He said his campaign will focus on engaging voters and presenting his agenda rather than negotiating back‑room deals.
The statement comes as political parties across Nigeria intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are both expected to hold competitive primaries for Senate seats, with Kebbi Central identified as a key battleground. Incumbent Senator Aliero, who has served two terms, has not yet confirmed his own candidacy for the upcoming election cycle.
Should Giant’s challenge materialise, the primary could become a test case for the growing demand within Nigerian politics for open, voter‑driven selection processes. Party officials have indicated that the primaries will be conducted under direct voting rules, a shift from earlier calls for consensus candidates in several states.
Observers note that the outcome of the Kebbi Central primary may signal broader trends ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly regarding intra‑party democracy and the appetite for change among the electorate. The primary on 18 May will determine the official party nominees, who will then contest the general election slated for early 2027.
Stakeholders, including civil society groups and election monitors, are watching the process closely to ensure compliance with Nigeria’s electoral guidelines and to assess whether the promised transparency will be upheld. The final list of candidates will be announced shortly after the primaries, setting the stage for the next phase of the campaign.
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