Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, is confronting a simmering internal revolt within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the party prepares for the 2027 governorship election. Discontent over consensus arrangements, alleged candidate imposition, and widening elite rivalries are threatening party cohesion, despite the governor's growing political dominance.
Fresh Political Tensions
Fresh political tensions are brewing within the APC in Kaduna State ahead of the 2027 general elections. Disagreements over the adoption of consensus arrangements in the party's primaries continue to expose cracks within the governing political structure. At the center of the unfolding battle is Governor Uba Sani, whose growing political influence has generated both admiration and resistance among party stakeholders, especially among aspirants who believe the consensus arrangement is being used to edge them out of the contest.
Though Sani appears firmly in control of the party machinery in Kaduna, recent developments suggest simmering resentment that could escalate into a wider intra-party crisis if not carefully managed before the 2027 governorship election. The controversy surrounding the APC primaries for Senate and House of Representatives positions has deepened suspicion among many party faithful, who believe candidates loyal to the governor and his political allies were used to edge them out.
Consensus Debate
While the Kaduna governor has repeatedly defended consensus as a legitimate democratic mechanism recognized by the Electoral Act and the APC constitution, critics insist that the process in the state has been manipulated to favor preferred aspirants. The disagreement reflects a larger struggle for political relevance and control of the APC structure in a state historically among the most politically volatile in northern Nigeria.
Since the return of democracy in 1999, Kaduna politics has been shaped by powerful blocs, ethnic balancing, religious considerations, and elite alignments between the North and South of the state. The state's political history has also been characterized by fierce contests between political godfathers, governors, and emerging interest groups.
Uba Sani's Challenge
For Governor Sani, who succeeded former governor Nasir el-Rufai in 2023 after a highly contentious election, the challenge is not only about securing re-election but also consolidating control over a party structure that still contains remnants of rival tendencies. Although el-Rufai played a major role in Sani's emergence as governor, relations between the two camps have deteriorated significantly, leading to intense speculation about underground political realignments ahead of 2027.
The widening gap between the former governor's loyalists and the present administration continues to shape political conversations in Kaduna, particularly as some politicians loyal to el-Rufai are believed to be uncomfortable with the governor's growing alliance with previously marginalized political actors. Sani has strengthened his political base through strategic reconciliations and broad consultations across Kaduna Central, Kaduna North, and Southern Kaduna.
Southern Kaduna Support
His administration has gained support from political actors in Southern Kaduna, a region that historically complained of marginalization under previous administrations. The governor's appointments, infrastructure projects, and security engagements in parts of Southern Kaduna have been viewed as deliberate attempts to bridge old political and ethnic divisions. This has contributed to growing acceptance among influential political figures previously aligned with the opposition.
Notably, Shehu Sani and former APC chieftain Suleiman Hunkuyi, who once operated outside the mainstream APC structure, are now reportedly working closely with Governor Sani ahead of the next election cycle. Political insiders believe former Vice President Namadi Sambo and former governor Ahmed Makarfi have quietly softened their opposition to the APC administration.
Opposition Weakness
The governor is also benefiting from the weakness and fragmentation within the opposition camp. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the major opposition force, continues to struggle with internal disagreements and leadership challenges after the 2023 elections. Although the PDP governorship candidate in 2023, Isa Ashiru, remains a major opposition figure, the party has not fully recovered from divisions that trailed the last election.
The emergence of the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has so far failed to generate momentum capable of seriously threatening the APC's dominance. Compounding the opposition's challenge are corruption allegations and investigations linked to some political figures associated with the previous Kaduna administration. Controversies surrounding alleged financial mismanagement during el-Rufai's eight-year administration, alongside accusations of human rights abuses, continue to dominate political discussions.
Internal Pressure
Despite these advantages, the Kaduna governor faces mounting pressure from within his own party. The strongest resistance has come from aggrieved APC aspirants and stakeholders who argue that the consensus arrangement adopted during the National Assembly primaries lacked transparency and adequate consultation. The grievances became more pronounced after a coalition of APC aspirants publicly petitioned the party's national leadership.
Operating under the APC Coalition of Kaduna Senatorial and House of Representatives Frontline Aspirants, the group accused party leaders of undermining internal democracy. At a press conference in Kaduna, the coalition urged the APC's national leadership to intervene and review the outcomes of the primaries. The protest letter was signed by notable figures, including former Senator Danjuma Laah, former Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly Yusuf Zailani, northern activist Yerima Shettima, and Sani Abdulkadir Dakace.
Grievances and Warnings
The coalition maintained that although consensus remains part of democratic practice, the process must comply strictly with the Electoral Act and the APC constitution. According to the aggrieved aspirants, several stakeholders were allegedly sidelined during consultations, leading to the emergence of some consensus candidates. They warned that failure to address grievances could trigger anti-party activities affecting the APC's electoral fortunes in Kaduna during the presidential and governorship elections.
The development has revived memories of past internal crises within the APC in Kaduna, particularly disputes during el-Rufai's administration. Kaduna APC has historically struggled with factional politics, defections, and personality clashes among influential politicians. Analysts believe that if reconciliation efforts fail, some disgruntled politicians may quietly work against the party or align with rival platforms.
Regional Sensitivities
There are concerns that tension over consensus arrangements may worsen existing regional and ethnic political sensitivities. Southern Kaduna remains strategically important due to its voting strength and longstanding agitation for inclusion in governance. Any perception of exclusion or political manipulation could reopen old distrust among stakeholders. Likewise, politicians from Kaduna North and Central are carefully monitoring the balance of appointments, nominations, and political patronage within the party ahead of 2027.
Governance Issues
Beyond internal APC battles, governance issues are expected to shape political debates. Security remains one of the biggest challenges despite improvements under Governor Sani's administration. Parts of Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Chikun, Kajuru, and Igabi local councils continue to experience banditry, kidnappings, and attacks on rural communities. Although the state government has intensified collaboration with security agencies and traditional institutions, residents in several communities still complain about insecurity and economic hardship.
Economic concerns arising from inflation, rising transportation costs, and the impact of fuel subsidy removal are likely to influence voter behavior in 2027. Kaduna, being a major commercial and industrial center in northern Nigeria, has not been insulated from broader economic challenges. Traders, civil servants, and artisans lament the rising cost of living, while youth unemployment remains a major concern across urban and rural communities.
Support for Sani
Supporters of Governor Sani insist that his administration has demonstrated greater openness and inclusiveness compared to previous governments. They point to ongoing road projects, rural development programs, educational interventions, and peace-building engagements as evidence of a people-oriented approach. Many loyalists believe his close relationship with President Tinubu and the APC's national leadership puts him in a stronger political position ahead of 2027.
For now, Governor Sani appears determined to project confidence despite growing internal opposition. In defending the consensus arrangement, he recently stated that no aspirant was forced into a consensus without agreement from all parties involved. According to him, when consensus fails, democratic contests remain the legitimate option. He acknowledged that governors may naturally have preferred candidates but insisted that party members ultimately decide who emerges in elections.
Outlook
The coming months will determine whether the APC leadership in Kaduna can successfully manage grievances arising from the primaries and prevent deeper fractures. With the opposition still battling internal weaknesses, the APC remains the dominant political force. However, history has shown that unresolved internal crises pose a greater threat to ruling parties than external opposition. As preparations gather momentum for the 2027 elections, Kaduna is once again emerging as a key battleground in northern Nigeria, where consensus politics, elite rivalries, regional interests, and governance performance may ultimately shape the outcome of the governorship contest.
