Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The political landscape of Sokoto State was thrown into a fresh twist on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, as the Executive Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Area, Hon. Isa Salihu Bashir Kalanjeni, tendered his resignation from office and formally withdrew his membership from the All Progressives Congress (APC). The twin resignations, conveyed in two separate letters dated 5 May 2026 and 7 July 2026 and made available to journalists in Sokoto on Tuesday night, have sent ripples across the state’s political circles, particularly in the Sokoto North Senatorial District, where Kalanjeni has been a prominent political figure for years.
In the first letter, dated 5 May 2026 and addressed to the APC Ward Chairman of Kalanjeni Ward in Tangaza Local Government Area, the former council boss announced his decision to quit the ruling party with immediate effect. “I wish to formally inform you of my decision to resign from the APC with immediate effect. This decision is borne out of purely personal reasons. I appreciate the opportunity given to me to be part of the party,” the letter read in part.
In a separate letter dated 7 July 2026, addressed to the Secretary to the Sokoto State Government and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Kalanjeni announced his resignation as the elected Executive Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Area. The letter, titled “Letter of Resignation as Executive Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Area,” stated that his resignation takes immediate effect. “Please accept this letter as formal notification that I am resigning from my position as Executive Chairman of Tangaza Local Government, effective immediately from today,” he wrote.
Explaining the difficult decision, Kalanjeni cited “unavoidable administrative challenges” that had made it impossible for him to effectively discharge his responsibilities to the high standard expected of him. “Due to recent unavoidable administrative challenges, I find that I am no longer able to execute the responsibilities of this office to the high standard expected of me,” the letter read. He noted that the decision followed extensive consultations with his family, key political associates, and community stakeholders.
In his resignation letter, Kalanjeni expressed profound gratitude to the people of Tangaza for the privilege to serve. “I am incredibly grateful to the electorate, the Council’s legislative arm, and the entire staff for the privilege and opportunity to serve our people. I wish the incoming leadership and administration continued success,” he stated.
Isa Salihu Kalanjeni is no stranger to the corridors of power in Sokoto State. Before his tenure as council chairman, he served three consecutive terms in the House of Representatives, representing the Tangaza/Gudu Federal Constituency. His political journey has been marked by significant realignments. In July 2022, he led a mass defection of six councillors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, citing his failure to secure the party’s ticket for the 2023 elections.
The resignation has sparked intense political interest across Tangaza Local Government Area and the Sokoto North Senatorial District. As of the time of filing this report, neither the Sokoto State Government nor the APC in the state had issued any official statement on the resignations or announced arrangements for the leadership transition in the council.
Kalanjeni’s departure from office and his party comes at a time when the APC is seeking to consolidate its hold on Sokoto State ahead of future elections. His resignation is expected to create a vacancy in the leadership of the local government council, with implications for the party’s structure in the area. The Sokoto State Government is now expected to initiate processes for the appointment of an acting chairman or a caretaker committee to steer the affairs of the council pending the conduct of a fresh election.
Kalanjeni, in his parting message, urged residents to continue supporting initiatives that promote peace, unity, and development. He also extended his appreciation to councillors and members of the local government legislative arm for their cooperation throughout his administration.
His resignation from the APC, citing personal reasons, leaves open questions about his next political move. Political observers believe his exit could signal a major shift in the political alignment of the Sokoto North Senatorial District, given his influence and years of experience in both legislative and executive governance. Some have speculated that his resignation may be a precursor to a return to the PDP or a move to another opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former federal lawmaker and council chairman has consistently maintained a reputation for political pragmatism. His 2022 defection to the APC was seen as a strategic move to align with the party in power at both the state and federal levels. His latest decision to step down from both office and party therefore comes as a surprise to many, raising questions about the internal dynamics of the APC in Sokoto State and the challenges facing local government administration in the region.
As the dust settles on Kalanjeni’s resignation, the people of Tangaza Local Government Area await the next steps from the state government. For now, the former chairman has taken his bow, leaving behind a legacy of service and a political career that has come full circle—from federal lawmaker to council chairman, and now, to a political free agent.
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