Kaduna 2027: Uba Sani, Ashiru, La’ah in new political battles

Kaduna State is entering a new phase of political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the governorship race already shaping up to be a fierce contest. Governor Uba Sani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to defend his seat against familiar challengers Isah Ashiru of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former senator Danjuma La’ah, who is running under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Governor Sani enters the race with the significant advantage of incumbency, leveraging government resources and the ruling party's expanding influence. He secured his party's ticket uncontested, receiving a substantial affirmation vote. His campaign has also been bolstered by defections from other parties, including prominent politicians who have joined the APC.

Mr. Ashiru brings considerable statewide name recognition from his previous two gubernatorial campaigns and commands a substantial political network. Meanwhile, Mr. La’ah, a former two-term senator, emphasizes his strong ties to Southern Kaduna and argues for the governorship to rotate to that region. The election campaign period is set to begin soon, with specific dates announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for presidential, National Assembly, and state-level elections.

The political landscape in Kaduna is notably complex, influenced by distinct senatorial zones, religious and ethnic factors, geography, and persistent insecurity. Alliances are often fluid, as demonstrated by the shifting political relationships between key figures. Governor Sani himself has experienced these shifts, having previously been aligned with former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who has since left the APC and whose political network has shown alignment with Mr. Ashiru.