Uba Sani nominates Jerry Adams | SOJWORLDNEWS
His nomination is expected to attract attention within the state’s political landscape as preparations for the 2027 governorship election continue.
Adams currently leads KADIRS, a position he assumed in 2023. He hails from Southern Kaduna and brings a background in tax administration and public financial management to the ticket. Sani praised his running mate’s record, crediting him with strengthening the state’s fiscal capacity through reforms that improved internally generated revenue.
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“Through innovation, transparency and professionalism, he has helped strengthen our fiscal capacity,” Sani said. He added that the improved revenue base has allowed the government to invest more in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and agriculture.
The nomination carries added political weight. It marks the first time in seven years that the ruling All Progressives Congress has fielded a Christian candidate for deputy governor in Kaduna State. The move departs from the Muslim-Muslim tickets the party ran in the 2019 and 2023 elections under former Governor Nasir el-Rufai, who chose fellow Muslim Hadiza Balarabe as his deputy in 2019.
Balarabe, the current deputy governor, cannot seek a third consecutive term because of constitutional term limits. That restriction opened the door for Sani to select a new running mate for next year’s contest.
Sani framed the choice as a reflection of Kaduna’s religious and ethnic diversity rather than a departure from unity. “Kaduna is a remarkable state, blessed with extraordinary diversity of faiths, ethnicities and cultures,” he said. He described that diversity as a strength rather than a burden for the state to manage.
The governor also invoked the state’s history of division to explain his reasoning. He said Kaduna’s past has taught difficult lessons about the cost of mistrust and exclusion, but he added that choosing dialogue and inclusion allows residents to achieve extraordinary things together.
Sani urged Kaduna residents not to interpret Adams’ nomination narrowly. He asked the public to look beyond religion, ethnicity, and geography when evaluating the choice. The governor described Adams as a man of integrity, humility, and quiet strength who has shown a consistent commitment to peace and reconciliation.
Officials close to the administration say the nomination reflects a broader governing philosophy that Sani has pursued since taking office on May 29, 2023. Sani has repeatedly emphasized merit and competence as guiding principles for his appointments, and allies argue that Adams’ record at KADIRS fits that pattern.
Analysts expect the selection to shape early conversations ahead of the 2027 vote. A Christian candidate on the APC ticket could influence how voters in Southern Kaduna and other Christian-majority areas approach the election. It could also set a precedent that other parties in the state weigh as they build their own tickets.
Sani closed his announcement with an appeal for unity. He said he wants Kaduna State to remain a place where every citizen has a genuine sense of belonging, regardless of faith or background. The governor added that he hopes the nomination inspires confidence in a shared vision for the state’s future.
The APC has not yet confirmed a formal ratification timeline for the running mate selection. Party structures in Kaduna State typically finalize governorship tickets through internal congresses ahead of the primaries, and observers expect further statements from state party leaders in the coming weeks.
For now, Adams steps into a prominent political role as Sani’s chosen partner heading into 2027, a nomination that immediately reshapes the conversation around the state’s next election cycle.
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