Kaduna 2027: Opposition disunity threatens bid to unseat APC as economic hardship shapes voter choices

Résumé détaillé

Insecurity disrupting agricultural production, rising business operating costs, unemployment and declining household purchasing power are emerging as major issues that ...

Insecurity disrupting agricultural production, rising business operating costs, unemployment and declining household purchasing power are emerging as major issues that could shape voting decisions in Kaduna State’s February 6, 2027 governorship election, as opposition parties struggle to build a united platform against Governor Uba Sani of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The economic consequences of insecurity are particularly significant in rural communities where farming remains a major source of livelihood. Farmers need safe access to their land and markets, traders are contending with higher operating expenses, while households face mounting pressure to meet basic needs.

These challenges are increasing expectations that political parties will move beyond campaign promises and present practical solutions capable of improving security, agricultural productivity, employment and living standards.

The opposition has a potentially competitive opening, given the narrow margin by which Sani defeated his closest challenger, Isa Ashiru, in the 2023 governorship election. However, divisions among opposition parties, competing political ambitions and defections have complicated efforts to consolidate their electoral strength ahead of the next contest.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Sani winner of the 2023 election with 730,002 votes against 719,196 secured by Ashiru, who contested under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The margin was 10,806 votes, and the Supreme Court subsequently affirmed Sani’s victory.

Musa Isa, a political analyst in the Department of Political Science at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, said the narrow margin demonstrated that Kaduna remained politically competitive and that opposition parties could mount a serious challenge if they addressed their divisions.

According to Isa, opposition parties must combine political cooperation with effective grassroots mobilisation and a convincing alternative development…

Thre…

Début de l'article, extrait de BusinessDay. Pour lire la suite, ouvrez l'article chez le média.