Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has named Jerry Adams, the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election, marking a return to the state’s long-standing tradition of a Muslim-Christian ticket.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Governor announced the decision in a statement shared on X on Tuesday, describing Adams, a Christian, as an experienced public servant whose appointment reflects his administration’s commitment to inclusion, fairness and equitable representation in Kaduna’s religiously diverse society.
Sani said Kaduna’s diversity remains one of its greatest strengths, stressing that his administration has spent more than three years promoting reconciliation, restoring public confidence and fostering peaceful coexistence across communities. He urged residents not to judge Adams’ nomination based on religion, ethnicity or geography, but on his competence and track record.
The Governor praised Adams for transforming KADIRS into one of Nigeria’s leading revenue agencies through innovation, transparency and professionalism, noting that the agency’s improved performance has strengthened the state’s finances and supported investments in education, healthcare, agriculture and infrastructure. He also described Adams as a man of integrity who has consistently championed peace and inclusive governance.
The nomination represents a significant shift from the 2023 election, when the All Progressives Congress (APC) fielded a Muslim-Muslim ticket after then-Governor Nasir El-Rufai retained Hadiza Balarabe as his deputy. That decision attracted criticism from Christian groups and sparked debates over religious representation in Kaduna, a state with a history of ethno-religious tensions.
