Uba Sani drops Muslim deputy, picks Christian running mate for 2027

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has dropped his deputy, Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election and named Jerry Adams as the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The decision marks a shift from the Muslim-Muslim ticket on which Sani and Balarabe were elected in 2023 to a Muslim-Christian ticket ahead of the next election.

Announcing the decision in a statement on Tuesday, the governor said the nomination of Adams followed “wide consultations, deep reflection and earnest prayers.”

Sani described the choice as a reaffirmation of his administration’s commitment to inclusion, justice, fairness and equity, saying it reflected his belief that every resident of Kaduna State deserved a sense of belonging regardless of religion or ethnicity.

He said the nomination was “far greater than the selection of a deputy governorship candidate,” adding that it underscored his administration’s efforts to promote peaceful coexistence in the state’s diverse religious and ethnic landscape.

The governor said Adams, an accountant and tax administrator, had transformed the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service through innovation, transparency and professionalism, helping to strengthen the state’s revenue base and expand investment in education, healthcare, infrastructure and agriculture.

Sani also described Adams as a man of integrity who had consistently demonstrated a commitment to peace, reconciliation and inclusive governance.

He urged Kaduna residents to view the nomination beyond religious and ethnic considerations, saying the administration remained focused on building a state where “every faith is respected and every citizen has an equal stake in our common future.”