Kaduna Governor Targets 3 Million Votes for Tinubu in 2027 Amidst ADC Defections

Kaduna Sets Vote Target Ahead of 2027 Elections

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani stated that the state is targeting three million votes for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 General Elections. The governor made this announcement on Saturday in Zaria while receiving former Kaduna Chief of Staff Bashir Sa’idu and other politicians who defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Governor Sani described the defection as a historic development demonstrating renewed unity within the APC ahead of the 2027 polls. He assured the incoming members, including party executives and grassroots mobilisers, that they would receive equal treatment within the party regardless of when they joined. Mr. Sani noted that Kaduna State has more than 4.4 million registered voters. He stated that the administration would intensify grassroots mobilisation efforts to meet the three-million-vote target for President Tinubu, as well as for Governor Sani himself and Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, who is seeking re-election.

Defectors Cite Internal Disputes as Reason for Return

Former Chief of Staff Bashir Sa’idu alleged that disagreements within the ADC over party leadership and candidate selection prompted his group's return to the APC. Mr. Sa’idu claimed that internal processes within the ADC were hijacked by outsiders and a particular family. Mr. Sa’idu claimed that more than 200,000 ADC card-carrying members joined the defectors returning to the APC. He alleged that the ADC was "dead" in the state and no longer posed a significant challenge to the ruling party. The defectors expressed readiness to mobilise votes for President Bola Tinubu, Gov. Uba Sani, and Rep. Abbas Tajudeen in 2027. During the event, Mr. Sa’idu appealed to Gov. Sani and the Speaker to facilitate the rehabilitation of the Zaria-Pambeguwa-Saminaka Road, citing its deteriorated condition as a cause of hardship for residents.

Party Officials Praise Turnout and Pledge Support

Alhaji Datti Babawo, APC National Vice Chairman for the North-West Zone, said the event’s large turnout demonstrated public confidence in President Tinubu’s administration. He pledged that the APC would secure millions of votes in 2027. Mr. Sani also said President Tinubu had promised to support the return of Rep. Abbas Tajudeen as Speaker of the House of Representatives for a second term. The event was attended by House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, former Kaduna governor Ramalan Yero, and other political leaders.