Kaduna 2027: Only one woman in governorship race

The final list for the 2027 Kaduna State governorship election shows just one female candidate among the 16 people running.

The list from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reveals that Jamila Mohammed of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) will compete in the election on 6 February 2027 with her running mate, Ramson Nwoha.

The list, signed by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony, includes the names, political parties, ages, genders, and education of the governorship candidates and their running mates.

Looking back at the 2023 governorship election, it is clear that no woman ran for the governorship seat in Kaduna State.

Women were in the previous election as deputy governorship candidates, like Hadiza Balarabe, who ran for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ms Mohammed’s candidacy is a significant step for women in the state's governorship race, as long as the final list does not change.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that five other political parties have women as running mates in the upcoming election.

These women are Mohammed Rahinatu of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Esuga Faith Zainab of the Labour Party (LP), Salima Likko of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Zippora Bijeh of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), and Shamaki Arthus of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Other governorship candidates include Adamu Ahamed of the Action Alliance (AA), who will run with Yakubu Yav; Isa Ashiru of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with Kantiok Ishaku; and the current Governor Sani Uba of the APC, with Adams Jerry.