Former Chief Security Officer to the late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (rtd), has formally declared his intention to contest the presidency in the 2027 general elections under the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Al-Mustapha, who was the presidential candidate of the Action Alliance in the 2023 elections, recently joined the SDP in March.
His declaration was made on Tuesday during an engagement with the party’s state executive committee and supporters in Minna, Niger State.
Addressing the gathering, Al-Mustapha expressed vowed to offer purposeful leadership built on integrity and national rebirth.
“I am pained and deeply concerned about the current state of the nation. However, with the right direction and commitment, Nigeria can rise again. Though the road ahead may be rough, together we can rebuild the Nigeria we all deserve,” he said.
He noted that the Minna meeting was part of a broader nationwide consultation strategy aimed at galvanizing support and building momentum ahead of the 2027 polls.
A statement issued by Jubril Umar Sanda, Director of News Media and ICT for the campaign said, “He is fully prepared for the journey ahead, ready to serve with integrity, courage, and a clear plan for progress.”
Earlier in the day, Al-Mustapha made a brief stop in Minna while en route to Mokwa, where he sympathized with residents affected by a recent flood disaster that displaced more than 200 people and caused extensive damage to homes and farmland.
The presidential hopeful stressed the urgent need for competent leadership, unity, and sustainable solutions to the country’s multifaceted challenges. He said Nigeria’s future rests on the shoulders of leaders willing to act decisively in the face of adversity.
Meanwhile, SDP State Chairman, Alhaji Buhari Yakubu Yarima, has welcomed Al-Mustapha’s declaration, describing it as a turning point for the party.
“We are confident that with credible candidates and a clear vision, the SDP will be a force to reckon with in 2027,” Yarima stated.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.
