The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, on Monday, said he was playing the role of a father without favouritism to all politicians vying for elective offices in 2027.

Abubakar disclosed this while receiving the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, at his palace in Sokoto.

The NDC flag bearer and his running mate were accompanied to the Sultan’s palace by the party’s Sokoto State governorship candidate, Dr Shamsu Haido, among other party faithful.

The visit, which formed part of the delegation’s political engagements and consultations with traditional and community leaders, came two weeks after the 2027 All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, led by the council’s Director-General, Senator Abdul-Aziz Abubakar Yari, visited the monarch.

The APC PCC visited the Sultan on Monday, September 14, 2026, alongside the Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu, his counterparts from Kebbi and Zamfara states, among other members.

However, a statement signed by Prince Bashir Adefaka on behalf of the Media Team of the Sultan of Sokoto quoted the monarch as saying:

“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 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has promised to restore petroleum subsidy if elected, saying his administration would first tackle corruption in the country.

Obi made the statement on Monday at a town hall meeting held in Sokoto for the Obi-Kwankwaso presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He identified corruption as one of Nigeria’s major problems and promised to fight it across all sectors if elected.

“People are talking about subsidy but what is all about it is corruption. By removing the corruption, I assure you that we will bring back subsidy.

“The problem of Nigeria is corruption, as such, if elected, we will stop all forms of corruption in every sector of the country,” he said.

Obi called on Nigerians to support NDC candidates in the 2027 elections, describing the task of addressing the country’s problems as a collective responsibility.

He said the party was committed to what he called a “politics of care and service to Nigerians.”

The former Anambra State governor also expressed concern over the economic difficulties facing Nigerians. He promised to use the country’s resources to improve security, education and other key sectors.

“Education is our number one priority after unity and security,” Obi said.

He also promised to link all state capitals by rail to promote economic activities and development.

Speaking at the event, NDC vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso said the purpose of their visit was to meet Sokoto residents and seek their support ahead of the 2027 elections.

Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor, said they had earlier visited the Sultan of Sokoto, who prayed for the success of the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket and conveyed his goodwill.

He said several parts of Nigeria were facing security challenges, but noted that banditry and kidnapping had become particularly serious in the North-West.

“We are, therefore, committed to mitigating all these challenges and make Nigeria better,” he said.

The NDC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Dr Shamsudeen Haido, also promised to provide good governance if elected in 2027.

The party’s state chairman, Alhaji Bello Yabo, said the town hall meeting gave residents an opportunity to hear directly from Obi and Kwankwaso about their plans and vision for Nigeria.