The Igbo community in Kaduna State has endorsed Governor Uba Sani for a second term ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The community announced its support for the governor during its 2026 Igbo Cultural Day celebration held at the Nigerian Correctional Service Staff College, Barnawa, Kaduna, on Saturday.
At the event, Sani, who was represented by the All Progressives Congress deputy governorship candidate, Jerry Adams, donated a brand-new bus and N20m to the community.
Announcing the donations, Adams, on behalf of the governor, said the gesture was aimed at strengthening the relationship between the state government and the Igbo community.
He said, “On behalf of the governor, I am pleased to announce the donation of a brand-new bus and the sum of N20m to the Igbo Community Welfare Association, Kaduna State, in recognition of your contributions to the development of the state and in support of your community activities.”
The President-General of the Igbo Community Welfare Association, Kaduna State, Chief Walter Temple, said the endorsement was informed by the governor’s inclusive leadership style and his administration’s support for the Igbo community over the years.
Temple, who delivered the community’s welcome address, said the governor had demonstrated a commitment to peaceful coexistence and the welfare of residents, irrespective of their ethnic and religious backgrounds.
He said, “Your administration’s disposition towards inclusiveness, peaceful coexistence and the welfare of residents, irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds, is highly appreciated.
“As a community, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting your administration and maintaining the cordial relationship that exists between us.”
The community leader also commended Sani for his previous donation of an official vehicle and appreciated him for fulfilling his 2024 promise to provide the association with another bus.
In his remarks, the governor described Kaduna as a home for people of different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, noting that the Igbo community had contributed significantly to the state’s economic development through trade, commerce, professional services and job creation.
Sani said, “Kaduna State is grateful to the Igbo community for its contributions through trade and commerce, skilled hands, professional excellence, businesses you have built and jobs you have created. You have invested here and made Kaduna your home.”
The governor recalled that he donated a Nissan Serena bus to the association in 2019 when he was the APC senatorial candidate for Kaduna Central, adding that his relationship with the Igbo community predated his emergence as governor.
He said the latest donation of a bus and N20m was another demonstration of his administration’s goodwill and commitment to strengthening its relationship with the community.
Sani also said his administration had appointed people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds to his cabinet and other positions of responsibility, adding that development projects were being distributed across communities without discrimination.
He cited completed and ongoing road projects, including the Television Garage-Sunday Road project, saying the projects were intended to connect residents to markets and economic opportunities.
The governor thanked the community for endorsing his second-term ambition, saying, “Your endorsement is not a favour, but a responsibility to keep earning your confidence through service.”
He urged members of the community and their families to register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the 2027 general election and participate in the electoral process.
Highlights of the event included colourful cultural displays and the conferment of the traditional title of Ugomba Ndigbo, Kaduna, on Adams, as announced by the chairman of the occasion, Barrister Charles Obiekwe.
Adams also appealed to the 2027 governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Senator Danjuma La’ah, who attended the event, to return to the APC ahead of the election.
He assured the former senator that he would be welcomed back into the party, not as a prodigal son, but as a member of the family.