Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has publicly stated that he has no preferred or "anointed" candidates for any elective positions in the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries scheduled for April and May 2026. The governor emphasized his commitment to a fair and democratic process, urging all aspirants to build genuine support among party members rather than relying on external endorsements or interference.
Governor Sani made these remarks on Tuesday night, March 3, 2026, during an iftar (breaking of Ramadan fast) session with members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna. The event, held amid the ongoing holy month of Ramadan, provided a platform for the governor to address party unity, internal democracy, and broader political strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
"My advice to every aspirant seeking any office is to get the support of party members. I have no anointed candidates in the coming primaries that will take place between April and May this year. I will abide by what the people decide," Governor Sani said, as reported by multiple credible sources including Premium Times, TheCable, Punch Newspapers, and Vanguard.
This declaration comes at a time when political activities are intensifying across Nigeria in preparation for the 2027 polls. In many states, governors have historically played influential roles in determining party flag bearers through endorsements or behind-the-scenes maneuvering—a practice often criticized as "godfatherism." By explicitly distancing himself from such practices, Governor Sani positioned himself as a proponent of grassroots-driven selections within the APC, the ruling party at both federal and state levels in Kaduna.
The governor further clarified his political loyalty, stating that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains his sole preferred candidate. He pledged unwavering support for Tinubu's reelection bid in the 2027 presidential election. This endorsement aligns with recent developments in Kaduna APC, where the party recently held a state congress that adopted consensus candidates for its executive positions. At that congress, held at Murtala Muhammed Square, Hon. Isaac Atiku Sankay emerged as the new state chairman. Governor Sani and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas charged the new executives to mobilize at least two million votes for President Tinubu in 2027, underscoring the state's strategic importance to the party's national ambitions.
Governor Sani also called for post-primary discipline among party members. He urged aspirants who may lose in the primaries to remain loyal to the APC and avoid actions that could undermine the party's unity. Drawing from personal experience, the governor recounted a past APC congress where many of his supporters were sidelined for party positions. Despite pressures to retaliate or work against the party, he refused, stating, "At that time, some people wanted me to work against the party. I told them that I wouldn’t work against the house I helped to build. As God will have it, I’m the governor today."
He warned that opposition elements would likely exploit internal disagreements, particularly after the primaries, to weaken the APC. "The opposition will try to instigate some members... We should resist this temptation. The party belongs to all of us," he added. Governor Sani described the APC as "the only party that is still standing" amid Nigeria's multi-party landscape, emphasizing the need for cohesion to maintain its dominance.
On security, a perennial challenge in Kaduna State—particularly in areas like Birnin Gwari, Chikun, and Giwa Local Government Areas—the governor highlighted measurable progress since his administration took office in May 2023. He acknowledged that insecurity persists but insisted improvements are evident, with communities gradually reconciling, farmlands reopening, and displaced families returning to livelihoods.
A key achievement cited was the reopening of 535 schools previously shut due to banditry and other threats, enabling the return of over 300,000 out-of-school children to classrooms. Similarly, 85 health facilities closed by insecurity have been reactivated, bolstering healthcare access in vulnerable rural areas. These efforts form part of the administration's broader "Kaduna Peace Model," which combines security operations with community engagement, rehabilitation of infrastructure, and economic incentives for peace.
Governor Sani also spotlighted ongoing infrastructure projects aimed at rural development and economic connectivity. He mentioned the construction of the 35-kilometre Bagoma-Gagumi road in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, which will link 62 farming communities, facilitate agricultural activities, and improve access to markets and services. The groundbreaking for this road was performed by the governor in August 2024, and it has been described as one of the longest new road projects in the area in decades. Additionally, a contract has been awarded for the rehabilitation of the Mando-Birnin Gwari road, further enhancing transportation networks in the region.
These initiatives reflect the administration's focus on addressing root causes of insecurity, such as poverty and lack of access, while restoring essential services. In his 2026 budget presentation to the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Governor Sani outlined continued investments in education (including classroom construction, teacher training, and learning materials), healthcare upgrades (such as elevating 255 Primary Healthcare Centres), and rural roads to support agriculture and livelihoods.
The governor's iftar with the House of Assembly members occurred amid a series of similar Ramadan engagements, including sessions with the Council of Imams and Ulamas, security chiefs, and executive council members. These events underscored themes of unity, reflection, compassion, and peaceful coexistence during the holy month.
Governor Sani's statements reinforce his administration's emphasis on internal party democracy, loyalty to the APC, and sustained governance reforms. As Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, his neutral stance on primaries could set a precedent for reduced executive interference in party processes, while his strong backing for President Tinubu signals Kaduna's continued alignment with the national leadership.
Political observers note that such openness may help mitigate post-primary tensions in a state with diverse ethnic and religious groups, where unity remains crucial for electoral success. With primaries looming and development projects advancing, Governor Uba Sani's approach blends political maturity with tangible governance deliverables.
