Shamsuddeen Bala Mohammed, son of the Bauchi State governor, and Hon. Abdulrazak Nuhu Zaki, the State Commissioner for Water Resources, have exchanged words over the Bauchi Central Senatorial District seat ahead of the 2027 general election.
During a recent ceremony organized in his honor in Misau LGA, Hon. Zaki declared his intention to contest for the senatorial seat in the 2027 election cycle. His past attempts in 2019 and 2023 were reportedly thwarted by his party, allegedly under the influence of Governor Bala Mohammed, in favor of Sen. Abdul Ahmed Ningi, who contested under the party’s platform.
Sen. Ningi, who is believed to be positioning himself as a successor to Governor Mohammed, previously lost the PDP governorship primary election to the incumbent but later backed the incumbent including his reelection bid in 2023.
However, in reaction to a Facebook post about the contest, Shamsuddeen expressed a preference for Hon. Mansur Manu Soro over Hon. Zaki, implying that while Zaki had shown loyalty and commitment, Soro possessed the youthful energy and intellectual capacity needed for effective representation.
“Honestly, between the duo, we would give (the contest) to Nuhu Zaki for loyalty and commitment. If it were for youthful exuberance, and capacity to articulate and navigate societal meaningful contributions to the people and the state, it is Mansur Manu Soro. Abdul Ningi should just go ahead with his governorship ambition. This is my opinion, not that of the party or H.E.,” Shamsuddeen posted.

However, Hon. Zaki responded on Facebook, describing Shamsuddeen’s remarks as an attempt to blackmail him. He urged his supporters to refrain from engaging in any social media exchanges regarding the matter.
“To all my supporters and my beloved ones, please, any write-up of either blackmail or misguided comments by Shamsuddeen Dangaladiman Duguri against me should not be replied to. It is only a matter of time. In sha Allah, God will see us through,” Zaki wrote.

From Familial to Political Conflict
Beyond politics, Hon. Zaki and Hon. Soro share a familial history. Zaki was once married to Soro’s sister, Ikhilima Manu Soro, but the marriage ended due to irreconcilable differences.
Recently, the Soro family petitioned the police, accusing Zaki of abducting one Zainab. However, Zaki refuted the claim, explaining to journalists in Bauchi that he had merely taken custody of his biological daughter after her mother remarried.
Although Hon. Soro, who represents Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has not made any public pronouncements, he is widely regarded as a strong contender for the PDP senatorial ticket.
Hon. Zaki further hinted at their strained relationship, alleging that his former brother-in-law was actively working against him.
“A brother to my ex-wife, Mansur Manu Soro, is running mad for politics to blackmail me. God forbid,” Zaki posted on Facebook.

Observers speculate that Hon. Zaki may have lost favour within Governor Mohammed inner caucus after the governor’s reelection, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding political battle in Bauchi. Zaki was a powerful commissioner in the first term of Gov. Mohammed who is now seen at peripheral circle of Bauchi State powers that be.
Shamsuddeen, himself eyeing senatorial seat of Bauchi South, has been featuring prominently in Bauchi political landscape recently. Albeit he has no political appointment at the moment, he has been engaging in philanthropic activities especially among the youths in Bauchi State.
While many especially within the government cycle are showing interest in the governor’s son political aspiration, others are said to be against it but are silent waiting for the right time to show their opposition.