Kaduna State’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has secured a decisive win in recent legislative by-elections, a result officials say underscores growing public confidence in Governor Uba Sani’s administration. The party triumphed in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, along with victories in Zaria Kewaye and Basawa State Assembly constituencies, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, the state’s Commissioner of Information, described the outcome as a “historic breakthrough” for the APC, which secured 34,580 votes in Chikun/Kajuru alone — over triple the 11,491 votes garnered by the previously dominant Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Smaller parties, including the African Democratic Congress (3,477 votes) and the Social Democratic Party (142 votes), trailed significantly. Maiyaki attributed the landslide to Governor Sani’s “grassroots-focused leadership,” emphasizing investments in road infrastructure, healthcare, education, and security as pivotal to swaying voters in areas historically resistant to the APC.
“These results reflect the trust communities now place in Governor Uba Sani’s inclusive governance and people-centered policies,” Maiyaki stated during a post-election briefing. He characterized the win as symbolic, breaking what he called a “long-standing jinx” in constituencies once considered opposition strongholds. Analysts note the PDP had maintained a firm grip on Chikun and Kajuru for years, making the APC’s sweeping margins a notable shift.
The commissioner framed the victories as evidence of the ruling party’s expanding influence across Kaduna, even in regions where opposition forces were once entrenched. Voters, he argued, have rejected “recycled promises” in favor of “progressive leadership” delivering measurable outcomes. With the APC’s total votes in Chikun/Kajuru exceeding the combined opposition tally, Maiyaki asserted the party has cemented its dominance ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Political observers highlight the results as a potential bellwether for the APC’s momentum in northern Nigeria, particularly given Kaduna’s status as a strategic electoral battleground. While opposition parties have yet to formally respond, the scale of the APC’s win — coupled with its forays into traditionally rival territories — signals a reshaping of the state’s political landscape. As Governor Sani’s administration approaches its first anniversary, the outcome may bolster efforts to position Kaduna as a model of development-driven governance in the region.
