Kaduna governor picks running mate, ends Muslim-Muslim ticket

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has named Jerry Adams, the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election. This selection marks a significant departure from the Muslim-Muslim ticket previously employed by former governor Nasir El-Rufai, signaling a new direction for the state's political landscape.

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This decision is far greater than the selection of a deputy governorship candidate. It is a reaffirmation of the values that have guided our administration since I took the oath of office on 29 May 2023; the values of inclusion, justice, fairness, equity and the unwavering conviction that every citizen of Kaduna State deserves a genuine sense of belonging.

Governor Sani announced the nomination via his official Facebook page, describing the choice as a "reaffirmation of the values that have guided our administration," specifically highlighting inclusion, justice, fairness, and equity. He stated that the decision is "far greater than the selection of a deputy governorship candidate" and aims to ensure every citizen feels a genuine sense of belonging. Sani emphasized that Kaduna's ethnic and religious diversity should be viewed as a strength, not a source of division, and that his administration prioritizes equitable development across all 23 local government areas.

Jerry Adams, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and the Nigerian Institute of Management, replaces Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe on the ticket. Governor Sani lauded Adams as an accomplished public servant and institution builder, crediting him with transforming KADIRS into a leading state revenue agency. Improved internally generated revenue, driven by Adams's innovation, transparency, and professionalism, has reportedly supported investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and agriculture.

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Kaduna’s ethnic and religious diversity should be seen as a strength rather than a source of division, adding that his administration had prioritised equitable development across the state’s 23 local government areas.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Sani described Adams as "a man of integrity, humility and quiet strength," whose leadership embodies merit, competence, and a commitment to inclusive governance. This announcement comes shortly after the African Democratic Congress (ADC) gubernatorial candidate, Isah Ashiru, unveiled John Kantiyok as his running mate, setting the stage for the upcoming election.

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a man of integrity, humility and quiet strength whose leadership reflects merit, competence and commitment to inclusive governance.