Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has officially secured the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general election, polling 459,393 affirmation votes as the sole aspirant in a primary election held on Thursday, May 21, 2026. The exercise, which took place at the Kaduna State APC Secretariat and across designated centres in the state's 23 local government areas, was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and witnessed by top party leaders, elected officials, delegates, and thousands of supporters who gathered to endorse the governor's second-term bid.
The Chairman of the Kaduna APC Governorship and House of Assembly Primary Election Committee, Hon. Hafiz Ibrahim Kawu, announced the result on Thursday evening, describing the exercise as peaceful, transparent, and reflective of the growing unity and internal cohesion within the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general election. "Today, the All Progressives Congress in Kaduna State has demonstrated once again that we are a united family. Governor Uba Sani has received an overwhelming mandate to fly our party's flag in the 2027 governorship election," Kawu said.
The motion for the adoption of the affirmation votes was moved by the Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Liman, and was unanimously endorsed by delegates at the venue amid loud chants, drumming, and celebrations by party supporters. The event, which also served as a show of strength for the APC in Kaduna State, was attended by notable party chieftains, including former governors, National Assembly members, and local government chairmen, all of whom pledged their loyalty and support for Governor Sani's re-election bid.
Speaking shortly after his affirmation, Governor Uba Sani expressed profound gratitude to APC members, stakeholders, and the people of Kaduna State for what he described as an overwhelming demonstration of trust and solidarity. According to the governor, the endorsement represents a renewed mandate to deepen inclusive governance, strengthen security, and accelerate development across the state. "We have made significant progress in restoring peace, strengthening unity, and expanding development across Kaduna State through dialogue, inclusion, and people-oriented policies. From infrastructure and education to rural transformation and urban renewal, our administration remains committed to improving the lives of our citizens," Governor Sani said.
The governor assured residents that his administration would consolidate on the gains already recorded and intensify efforts toward building a more peaceful, prosperous, and economically vibrant Kaduna State. He highlighted key achievements from his first term, including the restoration of relative peace in communities previously plagued by banditry and inter-communal violence, the rehabilitation of major roads across the three senatorial zones, and the expansion of healthcare and educational infrastructure, including the construction of new primary health centres and the renovation of dilapidated schools in rural areas. Governor Sani also noted that his government had implemented several youth empowerment programmes, supporting thousands of young people with vocational training, startup capital, and digital skills.
The primary election, which was conducted through an affirmation process rather than a competitive ballot, underscores the dominance of Governor Sani within the Kaduna APC structure. His emergence as the sole aspirant followed a series of consultations and consensus-building meetings among party stakeholders, who reportedly concluded that the governor's performance and popularity made a contested primary unnecessary. While some political observers have criticised the absence of competitive elections as undemocratic, party leaders have defended the process, arguing that it reflects the genuine preference of party members and saves resources that can be deployed toward the general election campaign.
The primary was largely peaceful, with no reports of violence or irregularities in any of the 23 local government areas where affirmation exercises were conducted. INEC officials stationed at various locations confirmed that the process complied with electoral guidelines, and security agencies maintained a visible presence to ensure order. The absence of any rival aspirant also contributed to the smooth conduct of the exercise, as there were no disputes over delegate lists, result sheets, or the counting process.
Governor Sani's re-election campaign is expected to focus on continuity, stability, and the completion of ongoing projects. With the APC primary now concluded, the governor and his team are likely to turn their attention to the 2027 general election, where they will face candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP), and other opposition parties. Political analysts have noted that Kaduna State, which has a history of closely contested elections, could witness a fierce battle in 2027, particularly given the emergence of new political alliances and the growing influence of youth and civil society groups.
The opposition parties have not yet finalised their candidate selection processes, but early indications suggest that the PDP may field a formidable challenger, while the Labour Party is also expected to contest seriously, building on the momentum from the 2023 presidential election when Peter Obi performed strongly in Kaduna State. Governor Sani, however, has expressed confidence that his record of performance and his administration's focus on inclusive governance will secure him a second term. "The people of Kaduna State have seen the difference. We are not here to make promises; we are here to keep them. By the grace of God and the support of our people, we will continue the work of rebuilding Kaduna State," he said.
The APC National Working Committee has since congratulated Governor Sani on his emergence and urged all party members to unite behind the governor to ensure victory in the 2027 general election. The party's National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, who was represented at the event, praised the peaceful conduct of the primary and described it as a model for other states. "What we have seen in Kaduna is a testament to what internal democracy should look like. The party is proud of Governor Sani and the entire Kaduna APC family," he said.
As the 2027 election cycle gathers momentum, Governor Uba Sani's formal adoption as the APC candidate marks a significant milestone. With his ticket secured, the governor now faces the challenge of convincing voters across Kaduna State that his first term achievements warrant an extension. For now, however, the APC in Kaduna State celebrates a primary conducted without rancour, and a governor who stands poised to lead his party into what promises to be a competitive and consequential election.
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