The establishment of a viable regional candidate for governor in the 2027 elections has been deemed a “non-negotiable priority” by the Southern Kaduna Renaissance Front (SKRF).
At its 2025 Young Persons Political Conference, which was chaired by Builder Dr. Monday Barau Madaki, FNIOB, in Kaduna on Wednesday, the group made the announcement. Young leaders, community leaders, and political stakeholders came together for the event, which had as its theme “Charting a Path to 2027: Alignment or Opposition to the Center.” Journalist Mr. Luka Binniyat and Dr. Philibus Nwamagyi Audu gave the main presentations.
To ensure the region’s inclusion on the ballot, the SKRF asked Southern Kaduna politicians to run in the governorship primaries of all major political parties, according to a statement signed by Convener Comrade Sabastine Bahori Luka and Secretary Pastor Jerome Waziri.
The organization stressed that Southern Kaduna is a socio-cultural entity made up of 12 Local Government Areas that cover an area of more than 26,000 square kilometers, which is larger than Kano State. Citing the 2006 census, which showed that the region’s population was 51.2% of Kaduna State, it rejected the term “minority.” In order to guarantee more equitable power rotation, it also demanded that the current three-zone classification be abolished and replaced with a two-zone (North and South) system.
The statement refuted assertions that the area has never backed the APC, pointing out that the party received more than 40% of Southern Kaduna votes in 2015 and roughly 30% in 2019.
The group expressed discontent with what it called “limited political inclusion” under Governor Uba Sani, even as it acknowledged some federal and state interventions, such as the appointment of General Christopher Musa Gwabin as Chief of Defense Staff, the founding of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, and the modernization of FMC Kafanchan. It cautioned that if the administration wants the region’s support, more representation needs to be obtained before 2027.
There was disagreement among the delegates on whether to support or oppose the central government. While some advocated for measured opposition to increase the region’s bargaining power, the majority supported strategic alignment to draw appointments and development.
Although the PDP and Labour Party controlled legislative seats in 2023, the communiqué also pointed out that several parliamentarians have subsequently sided with the ruling party. In the spirit of regional unity, it called on opposition leaders, including Senator Sunday Katung, Hon. Dan Amos, and Hon. Ali Kalat, to reevaluate their stances.
“Southern Kaduna must leverage its demographic and electoral strength to secure greater political inclusion,” the conference’s strongest resolution stated. Our goal of becoming governor in 2027 is unassailable.
