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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
As the countdown to the 2027 governorship election quietly begins, Kaduna State is witnessing an unusual political realignment, one that is forcing power brokers, faith leaders and party structures to reassess long-held assumptions, Daily Sun investigations reveal.
Governor Uba Sani, a product of Northern Kaduna’s political establishment, is today enjoying growing goodwill in Southern Kaduna, a predominantly Christian zone long alienated from state power. This development, Daily Sun further gathered, is not only an irony that is striking but one that is politically explosive.
Across Southern Kaduna, the governor’s presence at Christmas carol services, sustained engagement with church leaders, and renewed push for infrastructural development have softened years of suspicion. For many residents, it is a welcome break from the confrontational past.
A source within the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU) told Daily Sun that the current administration has created a peaceful atmosphere that is different.
“We are not saying all our problems are solved, but the level of engagement has improved significantly. The governor listens, and that matters a lot to our people,” the source said.
Daily Sun noted that road projects, security interventions, and social amenities scattered across parts of the southern axis have further strengthened this perception.
Another SOKAPU insider noted that visible development has begun reshaping grassroots conversations ahead of 2027.
“For the first time in years, people can point to government projects. That is changing how people talk about this government,” the source disclosed.
Political analysts noted that this outreach represents a deliberate departure from the eight-year tenure of former governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, whose relationship with Southern Kaduna was often that of mistrust and confrontational.
To many observers, Uba Sani’s strategy is a calculated reversal, and an attempt to heal old wounds and redraw Kaduna’s political map.
But while applause grows louder in the south, murmurs are emerging in the north.Within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) structures in Northern Kaduna, loyalty to the governor remains largely intact, but insiders admit that unease is brewing among some stakeholders accustomed to wielding influence.
An APC source in Zaria told Daily Sun that while party support for Uba Sani is not in doubt, internal balance remains a sensitive issue.
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“The governor still has the support of the party, but politics is about constant engagement. Some stakeholders feel they need more reassurance going forward,” the source said.
Another party insider warned that northern mobilisation, a traditional strength cannot be taken for granted.
“Northern Kaduna delivers votes, but only when the structures are fully energised,” the source noted.
This quiet tension underscores the risk in Uba Sani’s emerging coalition. By investing political capital in Southern Kaduna, the governor may be weakening the old formula where northern dominance alone guaranteed victory.Yet his supporters argue that Kaduna’s demographics and political consciousness have evolved.
“He’s betting on inclusion over intimidation,” a Kaduna-based analyst said. “That’s bold, but it’s also a dangerous politics.”
Faith leaders, often the silent drivers of public opinion in Kaduna, are also watching closely. A Christian cleric from Southern Kaduna said the governor’s willingness to engage Christian communities has eased long-standing mistrust.
“His presence at our events sends a message of inclusion. People notice those things, especially after what we experienced in the past,” the cleric said.
On the northern flank, a Muslim scholar cautioned against reducing the political equation to religion or region alone, saying that “People want security, stability, and fairness. If those are delivered, support will follow, regardless of zone.”
Insiders say the real battle may not be at the general election but within party structures, where northern power brokers still command influence. Some are reportedly weighing whether Uba Sani’s inclusive posture strengthens APC’s future or threatens entrenched interests built on old loyalties.
“There are people waiting to see if he stumbles,” a political insider revealed. “Politics is patience.”
As 2027 draws nearer, the governor faces a delicate balancing act, by consolidating his growing southern acceptance without triggering northern apathy. If Southern Kaduna votes cohesively and Northern Kaduna turns out moderately, Uba Sani could redraw Kaduna’s electoral history. But if northern enthusiasm wanes, even southern Kaduna goodwill may not be enough, insiders say.
For now, one thing is clear, Governor Uba Sani has changed the conversation in Kaduna politics. Whether that conversation ends in victory or vulnerability will be decided not just at the ballot box, but in the quiet corridors of power where alliances are made, tested, and sometimes broken.
