2027: APC, ADC Jostle For Southern Kaduna Votes

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have intensified their efforts to win the support of voters in Southern Kaduna ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While APC stakeholders in the zone have resolved to mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani, the ADC has said such mobilisation would not automatically translate into electoral support.

The APC stakeholders reached the resolution at a strategic meeting of APC Zone 3 stakeholders chaired by the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, at Epitome Hotel, Barnawa, Kaduna.

Speaking at the meeting, Balarabe urged party stakeholders to work together and place collective interest above personal considerations, saying unity, discipline and commitment were necessary to strengthen the party ahead of the elections.

She also urged APC candidates to develop clear strategies and concrete plans for their respective constituencies, while calling on stakeholders to communicate the achievements of the administrations of President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani to the electorate through factual information and effective engagement.

Balarabe said the 2027 elections would provide Southern Kaduna with an opportunity to demonstrate its political strength, organisational capacity and commitment to the APC.

“History will ask us, when the moment came, whether we were wise enough to choose the collective interest over personal interests,” she said.

The stakeholders reviewed the party’s preparedness for the elections, with candidates presenting updates on their engagements with constituents and outlining plans for mobilisation in their respective constituencies.

They also considered the report of the Reconciliation Committee, which had toured the zone to engage aggrieved party members, foster forgiveness and rebuild trust within the party.

The committee reported progress in its efforts, saying the exercise had helped strengthen unity, cohesion and collective purpose among members across Southern Kaduna.

The stakeholders further resolved to educate the electorate on projects, programmes and other dividends of democracy being delivered by the APC-led federal and state administrations, particularly in Southern Kaduna.

Reacting to the APC mobilisation, Abdulwaheed Olayinka Adubi, spokesman for the ADC governorship candidate, Hon. Isa Mohammed Ashiru, said the development should be regarded as part of the political contest rather than a threat to the opposition.

Adubi said the people of Southern Kaduna were politically conscious and would judge political parties and candidates based on their records, credibility and ability to address issues affecting their daily lives.

“I would not describe it as a threat; I would describe it as a political contest, and the ADC welcomes that contest,” he said.

According to him, the APC’s mobilisation would not automatically translate into electoral support, stressing that elections are won by earning the confidence of voters rather than simply announcing mobilisation plans.

He said the ADC was not taking any part of Kaduna State for granted, adding that the party would engage directly with the people, listen to their concerns and present Ashiru as an alternative ahead of the election.

Adubi said voters are concerned about security, education, healthcare, agriculture, employment, infrastructure, the cost of living and the overall quality of governance.

He said the ADC’s campaign would therefore focus on issues, competence, accountability and trust rather than what he described as propaganda or politics of division.

On the party’s preparations, Adubi said the ADC was building a statewide political structure across the 23 local government areas of Kaduna State, adding that its campaign would involve engaging voters on education, agriculture, healthcare, security, infrastructure, youth employment and economic development.