Kaduna 2027: Uba Sani, Ashiru, La’ah Face New Political Battles

The political landscape in Kaduna State is taking a new shape ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with Governor Uba Sani of the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Isah Ashiru and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate Danjuma La’ah emerging as key figures in the contest.

The race is being influenced by opposition realignments, political defections, regional calculations and the long-running political fallout between Governor Sani and former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

Governor Sani enters the contest with the advantage of incumbency and the backing of the ruling APC structure. He has also attracted several prominent politicians from opposition parties into the APC camp, further strengthening the party’s political machinery across the state.

Ashiru, who contested the governorship in 2019 and 2023, is seeking another opportunity to take control of the Kaduna State Government House. His move to the ADC has placed him at the centre of the opposition’s efforts to challenge the APC in 2027.

The involvement of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai in the ADC has added another dimension to Ashiru’s campaign, particularly as sections of El-Rufai’s political network have shown support for his candidacy.

Meanwhile, La’ah, a former two-term senator representing Kaduna South, is contesting on the platform of the NDC. His campaign is expected to draw heavily on the argument that it is time for Southern Kaduna to produce the next governor.

However, the opposition faces the challenge of preventing the anti-APC vote from becoming fragmented. With Ashiru and La’ah running on separate platforms, their ability to coordinate or consolidate support could significantly influence the outcome of the election.

Insecurity is also expected to remain a major campaign issue, as communities across Kaduna continue to demand stronger measures against banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.

The 2027 contest is therefore shaping up as a three-way political battle, with Governor Sani seeking a second term while Ashiru and La’ah attempt to build broad-based coalitions capable of unseating the incumbent.

The Kaduna governorship election is scheduled for February 6, 2027, while campaigns for governorship and State House of Assembly elections are expected to commence on September 9, 2026.