Kaduna 2027: Uba Sani dumps Muslim-Muslim ticket, picks Christian running mate from Southern Kaduna

As the deadline for political parties to submit the names of their governorship candidates and running mates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) draws closer, 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.

The move, if confirmed, would mark a departure from the Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai during the 2019 governorship election.

Sources familiar with the development told Daily Trust that Governor Sani has opted for a faith-balanced ticket, believing it is the most equitable arrangement for the state given its religious and ethnic diversity.

Kaduna has, since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, largely maintained a tradition of balancing the governorship ticket between Christians and Muslims until 2019, when El-Rufai replaced his Christian deputy, Barnabas Yusuf Bala (Bantex), with the current Deputy Governor, 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. Following Shekari’s death, Makarfi appointed Patrick Yakowa, another Christian, to complete the tenure.

In 2007, Namadi Sambo retained Yakowa as his deputy before moving to the office of Vice President after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Yakowa subsequently became governor and selected Ramalan Yero, a Muslim, as his deputy.

Following Yakowa’s death in a helicopter crash in 2012, Yero assumed office as governor and appointed Audu Nuhu Bajoga, a Christian, as deputy governor.

El-Rufai continued the faith-balancing tradition in 2015 when he selected Bantex as his running mate. However, ahead of the 2019 election, he replaced Bantex with Hadiza Balarabe after the former pursued a Senate seat.

Balarabe also retained the deputy governorship position in 2023 when Uba Sani emerged as the APC governorship candidate.

However, constitutional provisions preventing a deputy governor from taking the oath of office for a third consecutive term have made it impossible for Balarabe to continue in the role, prompting the search for a new running mate.

Sources within the Kaduna State Government House disclosed that Governor Sani had carefully considered several factors before arriving at his decision.

According to one senior source, issues such as age, gender, zoning and religious balance were all taken into account before the governor concluded that faith and 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 occupant is a Christian.

He added that the governor is currently considering a shortlist of eligible candidates but has deliberately kept the process confidential to avoid unnecessary political pressure and internal disagreements.

“Once the appropriate time comes, the governor will make the announcement,” the source added.

Among those reportedly being considered for the position are the 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, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sani, Ibraheem Musa, declined to confirm or deny the reports, saying only that the public would be informed at the appropriate time.

He declined to comment further on the matter.

Meanwhile, political lobbying for the deputy governorship position has reportedly intensified, particularly among influential figures from Southern Kaduna.

The development comes 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 note that Kudan’s consistent decision to pair with a Christian deputy from Southern Kaduna has earned him considerable support in the region during previous elections.

Analysts believe Governor Sani’s reported decision to adopt a similar faith-balanced ticket could significantly boost the APC’s electoral prospects in Southern Kaduna.

Public affairs analyst Haruna Nasarawa said Governor Sani’s choice would carry important political implications.

According to him, retaining a Muslim-Muslim ticket could create political challenges because of Kaduna State’s history of religious and ethnic tensions.

He argued that while a same-faith ticket might not attract significant criticism if adopted by another political party, it became particularly controversial within the APC due to the political circumstances surrounding El-Rufai’s administration between 2015 and 2019.

Nasarawa recalled that El-Rufai had defended his decision at the time by insisting it was the best electoral strategy based on prevailing political realities.

He, however, maintained that selecting a Christian running mate would reinforce Governor Sani’s image as a leader committed to inclusiveness.

“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, advised political parties in Kaduna and other religiously diverse states to avoid presenting same-faith governorship tickets.

He noted that since 1999, Kaduna had consistently maintained religious balance in its governorship tickets until 2019, describing the arrangement as one that fostered justice, unity and a sense of belonging among residents.

“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 stressed that justice, rather than religious affiliation, 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.”

Credit: Daily Trust

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