Former Provost of the Federal College of Education (FCE) Katsina, Dr. Magaji Aliyu Dansarai, mni, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Katsina State ahead of the 2027 general election.
Dr. Dansarai emerged through consensus during the party’s primary election conducted on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the SDP state headquarters located at Kofar Kaura in Katsina city. The exercise was part of the party’s primary elections held across the 34 local government areas of Katsina State.
Dr. Dansarai is a respected academic, education administrator, and former Provost of the Federal College of Education Katsina. He hails from Dansarai town in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State and was born on March 23, 1959. He attended Dansarai Primary School and later Government Secondary School, Dutsinma before proceeding to Bayero University Kano and Ahmadu Bello University where he obtained higher qualifications in Education.
Before becoming Provost of FCE Katsina, Dr. Dansarai served in several academic and administrative positions, including Acting Deputy Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi. During his years in the education sector, he became known for promoting discipline, institutional reforms, and quality education across Northern Nigeria.
He was also a member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, earning the title “mni” meaning Member of the National Institute. Dr. Dansarai gained public attention for his strong stand against examination malpractice and declining educational standards, which he described as major threats to the future of Nigeria.
Other candidates elected through consensus during the SDP primary elections included Bello Adamu Safana as Senatorial Candidate for Katsina Central Zone, Al’amin Yahaya Sani as the House of Representatives candidate for Katsina Federal Constituency and Raihanatu Suleiman as candidate for the Katsina State House of Assembly seat representing Katsina Local Government Area.
The electoral committee sent by the national headquarters of the SDP to supervise the exercise included Mustapha Mohammed Kurfi, Jibrin Bala Umar, and Dr. Muhammad Rabi’u Abba. Reports gathered by Hikaya Newspaper showed that the primary elections were conducted peacefully in all the 34 local government areas of the state.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Mustapha Mohammed Kurfi, said the peaceful conduct of the exercise reflected the commitment of SDP members toward democracy, unity, and credible leadership. He urged members to remain loyal and continue supporting the growth of the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
In his acceptance speech, Al’amin Yahaya Sani thanked party members for the confidence reposed in him and promised to provide quality representation, justice, and people-oriented leadership if elected into the National Assembly. Also speaking, Alhaji Labaran Rabo, the Zonal Vice Chairman of Katsina Central Zone, called on party supporters to maintain unity and cooperation for the success of the party.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Jibrin Bala Umar appreciated party members, electoral officials, and INEC representatives for ensuring a peaceful and successful primary election. During the closing prayer, Dr. Muhammad Rabi’u Abba advised the candidates and party members to remain committed to honesty, good governance, and positive change for the development of Katsina State and Nigeria as a whole.