By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna
The political landscape in Kaduna State has been dramatically reshaped following a weekend of mass defections, which saw key lawmakers, a former governor, and thousands of supporters move to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
This development has intensified the debate over the state’s democratic trajectory and the viability of opposition politics in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
At a well-attended rally held at Murtala Square in Kaduna, Governor Uba Sani formally received four members of the State House of Assembly, five members of the House of Representatives, and several political heavyweights, including a former governor and former senators. The event served as a major display of strength for the APC, attracting prominent national figures such as the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
Governor Sani framed the APC as a broad, inclusive political family committed to serving the people, attributing the party’s growing strength to its unity and deep connection to the grassroots. He emphasized the stability of his administration, asserting that Kaduna had become one of Nigeria’s most politically stable states due to his commitment to fairness, justice, and peaceful coexistence.
“Kaduna is one of the most diverse states in Nigeria, yet we have turned that diversity into our strength,” the governor stated, noting the absence of ethno-religious crises since he took office. He expressed supreme confidence that the APC would dominate the 2027 elections, projecting that the party would secure “up to 95 per cent” of the votes, an increase from his earlier promise of 80 per cent to President Bola Tinubu.
With the new entrants, the APC now holds a commanding lead, controlling 13 of the 16 federal constituencies from Kaduna and 26 of the 34 seats in the State Assembly, significantly diminishing the numerical strength of the opposition.
Despite the ruling party’s declaration of political supremacy, opposition parties have refused to retreat. The Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reacted strongly to Governor Sani’s suggestion that the state might soon become a one-party enclave, describing the comment as undemocratic and symptomatic of political insecurity.
PDP State Chairman, Chief Edward Percy Masha, argued that the pursuit of a one-party system amounts to an open admission of fear, warning that democracy thrives on competition and accountability.
He insisted that the attempt to weaken opposition voices could undermine participatory governance. Chief Masha maintained that the PDP remains a formidable force, citing the party’s success in the 2023 elections, where it secured three Senate seats and ten House of Representatives seats, as proof of its wide support base.
He also disclosed that a reconciliation committee, led by Alhaji Shuaibu Idris Mikati, has been activated to address internal disagreements and strengthen party unity.
Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) expressed calm confidence, stating that its ideology remains anchored on service, not opportunism. The party insisted that recent defections do not diminish its values or vision, stressing that genuine politics should focus on improving lives rather than seeking personal gain.
The positions of both the PDP and ADC reflect a shared concern about the future of political plurality in Kaduna. Their arguments underscore the need for a crucial balance between the ruling party’s consolidation of power and the preservation of opposition space, a foundation of a healthy democracy.
As the road to 2027 unfolds, Kaduna has emerged as a critical barometer for measuring Nigeria’s democratic maturity. The ruling party’s growing strength will be tested not merely by raw numbers but by its demonstrated ability to deliver good governance and uphold fairness. For the opposition, the moment calls for introspection, unity, and a more profound reconnection with the electorate. The coming months will determine whether Kaduna emerges as a model of political inclusiveness or drifts toward a monopoly of power that stifles alternative voices.