Strong indications have emerged that Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, is set to pick a Christian from Southern Kaduna as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election ahead of the deadline for parties to submit candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
If confirmed, the decision would end the Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket introduced by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai during the 2019 election.
Sources told Daily Trust that Governor Sani believes a faith-balanced ticket is a fairer option for Kaduna, considering the state’s ethnic and religious diversity.
Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, Kaduna had traditionally maintained a Christian-Muslim governorship ticket until El-Rufai replaced his Christian deputy, Barnabas Yusuf Bala (Bantex), with Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe in 2019.
Previous administrations also reflected religious balance. Ahmed Makarfi served with Stephen Shekari before appointing Patrick Yakowa after Shekari’s death.
Namadi Sambo retained Yakowa as deputy before becoming Vice President. Yakowa later became governor and selected Ramalan Yero as his deputy.
After Yakowa died in a helicopter crash in 2012, Yero became governor and appointed Audu Nuhu Bajoga as deputy.
El-Rufai retained Bantex in 2015 but replaced him with Balarabe in 2019 after Bantex sought a Senate seat. Balarabe also remained deputy when Uba Sani became governor in 2023.
However, constitutional provisions preventing a deputy governor from serving a third consecutive term mean Balarabe cannot remain in office beyond the current tenure.
Government House sources said Governor Sani considered age, gender, zoning and religion before deciding that religious balance and Southern Kaduna representation should take priority.
According to one source, the governor believes fairness requires a Christian deputy from Southern Kaduna and is quietly reviewing a shortlist of potential candidates.
The source added that the governor has kept the process confidential to avoid political pressure and internal disputes, promising an announcement at the appropriate time.
Those reportedly under consideration include Kaduna State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice James Kanyip, Head of Service Jummai Bako, and Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service Chairman Jerry Adams.
Governor Sani’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibraheem Musa, neither confirmed nor denied the reports, saying only that the public would be informed when the time is right.
Meanwhile, lobbying for the deputy governorship position has intensified among political stakeholders from Southern Kaduna.
The development comes after the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Isa Ashiru Kudan, selected Irmiya Kantyok, a Christian from Southern Kaduna, as his running mate.
Political observers say Kudan’s consistent choice of a Christian deputy has strengthened his support base in Southern Kaduna over the years.
Analysts believe the APC could also improve its electoral prospects in the region if Governor Sani adopts a similar faith-balanced ticket.
Public affairs analyst Haruna Nasarawa said retaining a Muslim-Muslim ticket could create political challenges because of Kaduna’s history of religious and ethnic tensions.
He argued that choosing a Christian deputy would reinforce Governor Sani’s image as an inclusive leader committed to unity.
Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Sheikh Haliru Maraya also urged political parties in Kaduna and other religiously diverse states to avoid same-faith governorship tickets.
According to him, religious balance promotes fairness, unity and equal representation, while justice remains the true foundation of good governance.
