Muhammed Rilwanu Lawal has secured the Labour Party’s gubernatorial ticket for Kaduna State ahead of the 2027 general elections, emerging as the consensus candidate following primaries held in Kaduna on Saturday. The selection process, which saw significant participation from party faithful across the state, marked a crucial step in the opposition party’s preparations for the next electoral cycle. Party officials and observers alike praised the exercise for its peaceful conduct and the spirit of unity displayed among competing aspirants.
Dr Oluwa Femi, chairman of the Labour Party Governorship Election Committee, lauded the collaborative approach that defined the primary elections. He emphasized that the party’s ideological clarity sets it apart in Nigeria’s crowded political landscape. According to him, the Labour Party remains the only political organization in the country with a coherent ideology that genuinely welcomes all Nigerians regardless of background. He asserted that the party truly champions the welfare and wellbeing of ordinary citizens, a message that resonated throughout the selection process.
Jonathan Asake, who carried the Labour Party’s flag in the 2023 Kaduna gubernatorial race, commended party members for maintaining decorum and organization throughout the exercise. His remarks highlighted the mature understanding among various aspirants, which facilitated the emergence of consensus candidates across multiple offices. Rather than descending into the acrimony and disputes that have characterized primaries in other political parties, Labour Party members in Kaduna demonstrated a commitment to collective progress over individual ambition. This approach allowed the party to fill positions for the Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly through agreement rather than contentious voting.
For the three senatorial districts in Kaduna State, the party selected Abdu Aliyu to represent Kaduna North, Elder Dr Yusuf Solomon Danbaki for Kaduna Central, and Amos Sheyin for Kaduna South. The House of Representatives tickets went to several candidates including Barrister Yayai Iliya Dadai for Kaura Federal Constituency, Saidu James Yakubu for Kagarko, Emmanuel Bala for Kaduna South, Dr Emmanuel Barau for Makarfi/Kudan, Abubakar Bello for Igabi, and Comrade Saratu Larai Shekari for Chikun/Kajuru. Each emerged through the consensus mechanism that defined the entire primary process.
At the state assembly level, Labour Party also fielded a slate of consensus candidates spanning Kaduna’s diverse constituencies. Among those selected were Elisha Isaac for Jama’a, James Yakubu Saidu for Kagarko, Suleiman Umar for Kudan, Engineer Garba Emmanuel Bajimai for Lere, Muhammed Sani Aliyu for Makarfi, and Lawal Abdullahi for Kaduna South. Additional candidates include Baba Chechet Solomon for Sabon Gari Basawa, Hillary Francis for Zangon Kataf, Ahmadu Yustus for Sanga, and Bala Awodi for Chikun. The comprehensive nature of these selections reflects Labour Party’s ambition to contest elections at all levels across Kaduna State.
With nearly two years remaining until the 2027 elections, the early conclusion of primaries positions Labour Party to begin substantive campaigning well ahead of competitors. The consensus approach, while praised for reducing internal friction, will face its ultimate test in whether these candidates can unite the broader electorate in a state known for its complex ethnic and religious dynamics. As Nigeria’s political parties gear up for what promises to be a highly competitive election cycle, Kaduna State remains one of the key battlegrounds where opposition parties hope to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress from power.
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