Uba Sani Set To pick Christian Running Mate

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani is expected to choose a Christian from Southern Kaduna as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election, signalling a return to the state’s long-standing tradition of balancing the governorship ticket along religious lines.

The move comes ahead of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s deadline for the submission of candidates and their running mates, which is less than two weeks away.

Sources familiar with the development told Daily Trust that the governor has resolved to adopt a Muslim-Christian ticket, departing from the same-faith ticket introduced by his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the 2019 election.

El-Rufai had replaced his first-term deputy, Barnabas Yusuf Bala (Bantex), with Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, resulting in Kaduna’s first Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket since the return to democracy in 1999.

Balarabe was retained as deputy governor when Uba Sani emerged as governor in 2023. However, constitutional provisions preventing her from taking the oath of office as deputy governor for a third time have necessitated the search for a new running mate.

According to sources, Governor Sani considered factors including age, gender, zoning and religion before deciding that faith balance and the retention of the deputy governorship slot in Southern Kaduna should take priority.

“The governor has gone past that stage. He has decided that, for fairness, his ticket should be balanced in terms of faith. While other considerations were examined, he believes faith and senatorial balance should take precedence,” a Government House source said.

The source added that the governor is keeping his preferred candidate confidential to avoid unnecessary lobbying and political pressure before making an official announcement.

Among those reportedly being considered are the Commissioner for Justice, James Kanyip; the Head of Service, Jummai Bako; and the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service, Jerry Adams.

When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ibraheem Musa, declined to comment on the speculation, saying the public would be informed at the appropriate time.

The expected decision comes amid intense lobbying by political stakeholders, particularly from Southern Kaduna, where many leaders have argued that retaining the deputy governorship position in the zone would promote inclusion and equity.

Political observers believe a Muslim-Christian ticket could strengthen the ruling All Progressives Congress’ electoral prospects in Southern Kaduna, where Governor Sani has received commendation for adopting a more inclusive style of governance.

Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate, Isa Ashiru Kudan, has already named Irmiya Kantyok, a Christian from Southern Kaduna, as his running mate.

Public affairs analyst Haruna Nasarawa said Governor Sani’s decision to choose a Christian deputy would reinforce his administration’s message of unity and inclusiveness.

He argued that another same-faith ticket could prove politically challenging given Kaduna’s history of religious and ethnic tensions.

Similarly, Islamic cleric Sheikh Haliru Maraya urged political parties to maintain religious balance in selecting governorship candidates, saying such arrangements have historically promoted fairness, peaceful coexistence and a sense of belonging among Kaduna residents.

He stressed that justice and equitable representation, rather than religious affiliation, remain the foundation of good governance.