NEWS
Gov. Uba Sani Reportedly Set to Pick Christian Running Mate from Southern Kaduna for 2027 Governorship Election
Strong indications have emerged that Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has resolved to pick a Christian from the Southern Kaduna Senatorial District as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election, as the deadline for political parties to submit the names of their governorship candidates and deputies to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) draws closer.
If confirmed, the move would represent a significant shift from the Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket introduced by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai during the 2019 election, signaling what many observers see as a return to Kaduna State’s longstanding tradition of balancing political leadership along religious lines.
According to sources familiar with the development, Governor Sani has settled for a faith-balanced ticket after weighing the state’s religious and ethnic diversity, believing such an arrangement would promote inclusiveness, fairness and political stability.
Since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999, Kaduna State had consistently maintained a Christian-Muslim balance in its governorship ticket until 2019, when El-Rufai replaced his Christian deputy, Barnabas Yusuf Bala (Bantex), with Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, creating the state’s first Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket.
Historical records show that former Governor Ahmed Makarfi served alongside Stephen Shekari as deputy governor before appointing Patrick Yakowa, another Christian, following Shekari’s death.
In 2007, Namadi Sambo retained Yakowa as his deputy until he became Vice President after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Yakowa subsequently became governor and selected Ramalan Yero, a Muslim, as his deputy.
After Yakowa’s tragic death in a helicopter crash in 2012, Yero assumed office as governor and appointed Audu Nuhu Bajoga, a Christian, as deputy governor. The tradition of religious balancing continued in 2015 when El-Rufai selected Bantex as his running mate before abandoning the arrangement in 2019 by replacing him with Hadiza Balarabe.
Balarabe retained her position when Uba Sani emerged as the APC governorship candidate in 2023. However, constitutional provisions preventing a deputy governor from taking the oath of office for a third consecutive term have effectively ruled out another term for her, making the search for a new running mate inevitable.
GOVERNOR WEIGHED MULTIPLE FACTORS BEFORE DECISION:
Sources within the Kaduna State Government House disclosed that Governor Sani carefully examined several considerations before arriving at his reported decision.
A senior government source revealed that issues such as age, gender, zoning and religious balance were all evaluated before the governor concluded that religious inclusiveness and equitable senatorial representation should take precedence.
“The governor has gone past that stage. He has decided that, in the interest of fairness, his ticket will be balanced in terms of religion.
“Initially, there were considerations around age, gender, zoning and faith balance, but the governor resolved that even if all the other factors cannot be accommodated, balancing the ticket by religion and senatorial district should override every other consideration,” the source said.
The source further disclosed that Governor Sani believes Southern Kaduna should retain the deputy governorship position while ensuring that the office is occupied by a Christian.
According to the insider, the governor is currently reviewing a shortlist of qualified individuals but has intentionally kept the process confidential to prevent political pressure and unnecessary internal disagreements within the party.
“Once the appropriate time comes, the governor will make the announcement,” the source added.
TOP NAMES REPORTEDLY UNDER CONSIDERATION:
Among those reportedly being considered for the deputy governorship position are Kaduna State Commissioner for Justice, James Kanyip; the state’s Head of Service, Mrs. Jummai Bako; and the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Jerry Adams.
When contacted over the reports, Governor Sani’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibraheem Musa, neither confirmed nor denied the development. He simply stated that the public would be informed when the appropriate time arrives and declined to comment further.
POLITICAL LOBBYING INTENSIFIES:
Meanwhile, political lobbying for the deputy governorship slot has reportedly intensified, particularly among influential political stakeholders from Southern Kaduna seeking to secure the position ahead of the election.
The development is unfolding as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Isa Ashiru Kudan, has already selected Irmiya Kantyok, a Christian from Southern Kaduna, as his running mate.
Political observers noted that Kudan’s consistent decision to pair with a Christian deputy from Southern Kaduna has earned him considerable political support in the region during previous elections.
Analysts believe Governor Sani’s reported plan to adopt a similar faith-balanced ticket could strengthen the APC’s electoral fortunes in Southern Kaduna, where issues of representation and inclusiveness remain politically significant.
ANALYSTS, CLERIC BACK FAITH-BALANCED TICKET:
Public affairs analyst Haruna Nasarawa said Governor Sani’s reported decision carries significant political implications, arguing that retaining a Muslim-Muslim ticket could pose electoral challenges given Kaduna State’s history of religious and ethnic tensions.
He maintained that although same-faith tickets may not generate equal controversy in every political setting, the issue became particularly sensitive within the APC because of the political atmosphere that surrounded El-Rufai’s administration between 2015 and 2019.
Nasarawa recalled that El-Rufai defended the Muslim-Muslim ticket at the time as the most effective electoral strategy based on prevailing political realities.
However, he believes a Christian running mate would further strengthen Governor Sani’s reputation as an inclusive leader.
“If Governor Sani picks a Christian deputy governor, it will send a strong message of unity and demonstrate his commitment to carrying every section of Kaduna State along,” he said.
Similarly, Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Haliru Maraya, urged political parties in Kaduna and other religiously diverse states to avoid presenting same-faith governorship tickets.
He observed that Kaduna maintained religious balance in its governorship tickets from 1999 until 2019, describing the arrangement as one that promoted justice, unity and a sense of belonging among citizens.
“For equity and fairness, political parties should ensure they field candidates for governor and deputy governor from different religious backgrounds. This will strengthen unity and guarantee equal representation in governance,” Maraya said.
The cleric further emphasized that justice, rather than religious identity, remains the true foundation of good governance.
Quoting renowned Islamic scholar Ibn Taymiyyah, Maraya said: “Allah helps a state that is just, even if it is under unbelievers, but He does not help a state that is unjust, even if it is under believers.”