The Igbo Community in Kaduna State has endorsed Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for a second term ahead of the 2027 governorship election, citing his inclusive leadership and commitment to peaceful coexistence.
The endorsement was announced on Saturday during the community’s 2026 Igbo Cultural Day celebration held at the Nigerian Correctional Service Staff College, Barnawa, Kaduna.
At the event, the governor, who was represented by the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate, Jerry Adams, donated a brand-new bus and N20m to the association.
Speaking at the occasion, the President-General of the Igbo Community Welfare Association, Kaduna State, Chief Walter Chukwuma-Temple, said the endorsement was informed by the governor’s support for the community and his commitment to protecting the interests of residents irrespective of their ethnic and religious affiliations.
Temple said the administration had demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusiveness, peaceful coexistence and the welfare of all residents, noting that the community was determined to sustain its cordial relationship with the government.
“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,” he said.
The community leader also recalled the governor’s earlier donation of an official vehicle to the association, expressing appreciation for fulfilling his 2024 promise to provide another bus.
In his remarks, Governor Uba Sani described Kaduna as a home for people of diverse ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, commending the Igbo community for its contributions to the state’s economic growth.
He noted that the community had continued to contribute to trade, commerce, professional services, business development and employment generation.
“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 said.
Sani recalled that he donated a Nissan Sienna bus to the association in 2019 when he was the APC senatorial candidate for Kaduna Central, stressing that his relationship with the Igbo community predated his emergence as governor.
He said the latest donation of a bus and N20m was aimed at strengthening the relationship between his administration and the community.
The governor further said his administration had appointed people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds into positions of responsibility, while ensuring that development projects were distributed across communities without discrimination.
He cited completed and ongoing road projects, including the Television Garage-Ungwan Sunday and Karatudu roads, as part of efforts to improve connectivity, facilitate access to markets and expand economic opportunities.
On the community’s endorsement of his second-term ambition, Sani said it was a call to greater service and responsibility.
“Your endorsement is not a favour, but a responsibility to keep earning your confidence through service,” he said.
He urged members of the Igbo community and their families to register, collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate actively in the 2027 general elections.
In a related development, Adams appealed to the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Danjuma La’ah, who attended the celebration, to return to the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Adams assured the former senator that he would be welcomed back into the party, describing him as a member of the political family rather than a prodigal son.
The highlight of the celebration was the conferment of the traditional title of “Ugomba Ndigbo” of Kaduna on Adams, alongside colourful cultural performances and displays.
Earlier, Temple outlined some of the achievements of his administration, including a free medical outreach conducted in September, the 2026 Unity Football Competition and the establishment of a peace and reconciliation committee to address disputes among members.
He also disclosed that the association had commenced a review of its constitution and was working towards establishing an Igbo Leaders Assembly comprising representatives from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The community leader appealed for financial support towards the construction of a permanent secretariat, describing the project as essential to the effective administration of the association.
He also congratulated Chief Anthony Ortiz Ibrakalachi on his conferment with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
