Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has officially named Jerry Adams, the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), as his deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 election. The announcement, made on Tuesday via the governor's official Facebook page, ends months of speculation about who would join him on the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket.
Selection Ends Months of Speculation
Governor Sani described the decision as a reaffirmation of his administration's commitment to inclusion, equity, and fairness. Adams, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (FCTI), Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (FNIM), and Chartered National Accountant (CNA), replaces Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe, who will not be on the ticket for the 2027 election.
This move marks a significant departure from the Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket practiced by former governor Nasir El-Rufai in his 2019 re-election campaign. El-Rufai also contributed to the selection of Sani and Balarabe as the APC's ticket in 2023.
Governor Emphasizes Inclusion
In his announcement, Governor Sani stressed that the choice of Adams goes beyond selecting a deputy candidate. “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,” he said.
He highlighted that Kaduna's ethnic and religious diversity should be viewed as a strength, not a source of division. His administration has prioritized equitable development across the state's 23 local government areas, with investments in roads, healthcare, education, agriculture, water supply, and social protection distributed without discrimination.
The governor also noted that his administration has worked with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community groups to improve security and strengthen peaceful coexistence.
Why Jerry Adams Was Chosen
Governor Sani described Adams as an accomplished public servant and institution builder who transformed KADIRS into one of Nigeria’s leading state revenue agencies. He credited Adams with improving the state's internally generated revenue through innovation, transparency, and professionalism, which has supported investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and agriculture.
Beyond his professional achievements, the governor characterized Adams as “a man of integrity, humility and quiet strength,” whose leadership reflects merit, competence, and a commitment to inclusive governance.
Shift from Muslim-Muslim to Muslim-Christian Ticket
By choosing Adams, who is widely believed to be a Christian, Governor Sani has effectively returned the APC governorship ticket to a Muslim-Christian combination. This move ends the Muslim-Muslim formula adopted in the 2023 election and is expected to generate political debate in Kaduna, a state known for its religious and ethnic diversity, where power-sharing and inclusive representation are recurring issues.
Political Landscape Takes Shape
The announcement comes shortly after the African Democratic Congress (ADC) gubernatorial candidate, Isah Ashiru, named John Kantiyok as his running mate for the 2027 election. With both major contenders now having unveiled their deputy candidates, political attention is expected to shift to campaigns, policy debates, and electoral strategies ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Kaduna is one of Nigeria's most religiously and ethnically diverse states, having experienced periods of sectarian tension over the years. The composition of the APC ticket had attracted significant public interest, as it was seen as a signal of whether Governor Sani would retain the Muslim-Muslim formula or return to a more traditional balance.
