2027: Kaduna gov names running mate for governorship election

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, on Tuesday named the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service, Jerry Adams, as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election, describing the decision as a reaffirmation of his administration’s commitment to inclusion, equity and good governance.

The governor announced the nomination in a statement he personally signed, saying Adams’ emergence reflected the values of justice, fairness and merit that had guided his administration since assuming office on May 29, 2023.

According to Sani, the choice of Adams goes beyond the selection of a deputy governorship candidate, stressing that it reinforces his administration’s vision of building a united, peaceful and inclusive Kaduna State.

“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,” the governor said.

Sani described Kaduna as a state blessed with diverse ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, noting that the diversity should be seen as a strength rather than a source of division.

“Our history has taught us difficult lessons about the heavy cost of division, mistrust and exclusion. Yet it has also shown us that when we choose dialogue over discord, inclusion over alienation and justice over prejudice, our people achieve extraordinary things together,” he added.

The governor said his administration had, over the past three years, prioritised equitable distribution of development projects across the state’s 23 local government areas, with investments in roads, education, healthcare, agriculture, water supply, rural development and social protection.

He said the administration had also worked with traditional rulers, religious leaders, community organisations, women and youth groups to promote peaceful coexistence and restore confidence in government.

According to him, the improved security situation in many parts of the state has enabled farmers to return to their farms, encouraged business expansion and attracted more investments.

Sani said Adams, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and the National Institute of Management, had distinguished himself as a seasoned public servant and tax administrator.

He credited the KADIRS chairman with transforming the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service into one of the country’s leading revenue agencies through innovation, transparency and professionalism.

The governor said the improved internally generated revenue had strengthened the state’s fiscal capacity and enabled greater investment in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and other critical sectors.

Beyond his professional achievements, Sani described Adams as “a man of integrity, humility and quiet strength,” adding that he had consistently demonstrated commitment to peace, reconciliation and inclusive governance.

“His emergence reflects our continuing determination to build a Kaduna where merit, competence and character remain the true qualifications for leadership,” the governor said.

Calling on residents to support the ticket, Sani urged the people of Kaduna to view the nomination beyond ethnic, religious and geographical considerations.

“As we look towards 2027, I invite every son and daughter of Kaduna State to see this moment not through the narrow prism of religion, ethnicity or geography, but through the broader vision of the Kaduna we are building together; a Kaduna where every child can dream without fear, every community can flourish, every faith is respected and every citizen has an equal stake in our common future,” he said.

The governor expressed confidence that his administration would continue to build on its achievements and strengthen the foundation for a more peaceful, secure and prosperous Kaduna State..