Governor Uba Sani’s choice of Jerry Adams as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election is one of those political decisions that has spoken so eloquently for itself that it has required neither defence nor justification. Since the announcement, the reaction across Kaduna State and beyond has been overwhelmingly positive. Governor Sani appears to have scored a bull’s-eye, with party members, political stakeholders, civil society groups, and commentators alike commending the choice—an uncommon convergence of opinion. In a state where major political appointments are often subjected to intense scrutiny through the lenses of religion and ethnicity, such widespread acceptance is remarkable. More importantly, it suggests that Governor Sani did not merely make a political calculation; in choosing his taxman, he made a strategic decision that has resonated with a broad cross-section of the people of Kaduna State.

That broad acceptance becomes even more significant when viewed against Kaduna State’s political history. The office of deputy governor has traditionally been a constitutional requirement; that has served as a vital instrument for political balance and inclusion, reflecting the very essence of Nigeria’s federal system by assuring every major constituency that it has a place in governance. Consequently, the choice of a running mate has always been shaped by Kaduna’s complex religious, and ethnic dynamics. The succession of deputy governors tells that story: Stephen Shekari under Ahmed Makarfi, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa under Namadi Sambo, Ramallan Yero under Yakowa, Barnabas Bala Bantex under Nasir El-Rufai, and Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe in El-Rufai’s second term and under Governor Uba Sani’s first term. Each nomination has reflected the political arithmetic of its time and the imperative of maintaining the delicate balance that has long defined Kaduna State politics.

That overwhelming reception naturally raises an important question: why has this nomination resonated so strongly? Part of the answer lies in the established working relationship and evident chemistry between Governor Uba Sani and Jerry Adams. Having served under the Governor for more than three years, Adams is already familiar with his leadership style, priorities, and approach to governance. That familiarity matters because, in Nigeria’s constitutional framework, a deputy governor serves largely at the pleasure of the governor, making mutual trust and personal rapport indispensable to effective governance. Where such a relationship is absent, the consequences can be damaging—a reality that prompted former Anambra State Governor Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife to famously describe deputy governors as “spare tyres.” By contrast, the American presidential system, from which Nigeria borrowed its model, has long recognised the importance of nurturing the relationship between the President and Vice President. A longstanding convention of regular private lunches is one way of strengthening that partnership. It is a practice from which Nigeria could draw useful lessons.

Historically, the selection of deputy governors has been driven by predictable considerations such as religious balancing and political calculations, with competence rarely occupying a central place in the equation. Governor Sani’s nomination of Jerry Adams represents a clear departure from that tradition. As the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Adams has been an integral part of the administration, earning a reputation for reforms that strengthened tax collection, improved institutional efficiency, and enhanced public confidence in the agency. Beyond his technocratic credentials, he has remained politically active and deeply involved in the administration’s governance agenda. It is therefore no surprise that Governor Sani presented the nomination as something more than the choice of a running mate, describing it as a reflection of the principles of inclusion, justice, fairness, and equity that have defined his administration since assuming office in May 2023.

There is also the question of continuity. By choosing someone who has worked closely with him since the inception of his administration, Governor Sani has minimised the learning curve that an outsider would have faced. Adams is already very familiar with the government’s priorities, its internal decision-making processes, and the implementation of its development agenda. That institutional memory should enable him to settle quickly into his new role, allowing the administration to maintain momentum rather than lose valuable time to orientation and adjustment.

His background also comes at a time when virtually all the states are under increasing pressure to generate more revenue without placing undue burdens on the people. Kaduna’s ambitious development agenda depends not only on visionary policies but also on prudent financial management and increased internally generated revenue(IGR). Having led the state’s revenue agency, Adams brings to the office an appreciation of fiscal discipline, institutional reforms, and the relationship between public revenue and service delivery. Those experiences could prove invaluable as the administration seeks to finance infrastructure, social services, and economic development in an increasingly challenging fiscal environment.

With his nomination secured, Adams now confronts the challenge of transitioning from a respected public administrator to a political leader. Although he comes from Southern Kaduna, the office he is about to occupy demands that he see the entire state as his constituency. Like Governor Uba Sani, whose approach to governance has consistently emphasised inclusiveness, Adams must help him unite Kaduna’s diverse communities by building bridges across religious, ethnic, and regional lines. The demands of the two roles are fundamentally different. While leading the KADIRS required technical competence, and institutional efficiency, politics demands negotiation, consensus-building, emotional intelligence, and the ability to maintain a visible and reassuring presence across every part of the state.

As deputy governor, Adams will be expected to engage seamlessly with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and women groups, labour unions, professional associations, business communities, and grassroots stakeholders, serving as both an effective advocate for government policies and an accessible bridge between the administration and the people. Inevitably, his opponents will attempt to portray him as a technocrat lacking grassroots appeal. His impressive administrative record may have earned him the nomination, but it is his political acumen, ability to build relationships, and capacity to earn the confidence of the electorate that will ultimately determine the success of this new chapter.

Perhaps Jerry Adams’ greatest political balancing act will be managing the expectations attached to his identity as a son of Southern Kaduna while simultaneously demonstrating that he is deputy governor for every part of the state. His emergence has understandably inspired pride within his zone, but the office demands a broader outlook. He must resist being drawn into sectional politics or being perceived as the representative of Southern Kaduna. Like Governor Uba Sani, whose governance philosophy has consistently emphasised inclusiveness, Adams will ultimately be judged by his ability to build bridges across Kaduna’s religious, ethnic, and geographical divides rather than deepen them.

There are, however, some uncomfortable truths that we can’t shy away from. While Adams’ nomination has deservedly been widely welcomed, experience from the tenure of previous occupants of the office from the South offers an important lesson. Beyond celebrating his emergence, Southern Kaduna must accord him the respect, loyalty, and support necessary for him to succeed. History is instructive. As deputy governor and later governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa endured painful hostility from sections of his own people, who accused him of being “pro-Zaria.” Perhaps the most humiliating episode was the incident at Zonkwa, where his cap was publicly removed from his head. Similarly, Barnabas Bala Bantex, despite being one of Southern Kaduna’s most celebrated political figures, left the political stage a disappointed man largely because of his membership of the APC, then dismissed by many as a “Muslim party”—the very same party that has today become as politically dominant in the zone as the PDP once was.

Knowing Governor Uba Sani, Adams, as deputy governor, will most certainly be entrusted with significant responsibilities, oversee key government initiatives, and play an influential role in policy implementation, project execution, and even appointments within the administration. Such responsibilities will undoubtedly raise his political profile and create opportunities for him to deliver meaningful benefits to the people. However, the office also comes with expectations that no deputy governor can ever realistically satisfy, and that is where the real challenge will begin. Like many before him, Adams will soon discover that his greatest test may not be governance itself but the relentless personal and financial demands that accompany public office. As Executive Chairman of KADIRS, he encountered similar pressures and managed them reasonably well, but life as an elected public office holder will be fundamentally different. Constituents, political associates, community groups, and even distant acquaintances will expect financial assistance, employment opportunities, the payment of school fees, medical bills, and countless other forms of personal support. The moment those expectations go unmet, the honeymoon will quickly be over. It is therefore important for his friends, supporters, and associates to understand this reality; that neither his salary nor the budget of his office can possibly meet such overwhelming demands. Managing those expectations with honesty, humility, transparency, and continuous engagement will be just as important to his political success as the official responsibilities he discharges.

Ultimately, Jerry Adams’ nomination is about far more than filling a constitutional vacancy on the governorship ticket. It represents Governor Uba Sani’s statement about the kind of leadership he wants to institutionalise in Kaduna State—one that places competence alongside inclusion, performance alongside political balance, and continuity alongside renewal. The real verdict, however, will not be delivered on the day of his nomination but in the years ahead, through his conduct in office, his relationship with the people, and his ability to justify the confidence reposed in him. If he succeeds, he will not merely have validated Governor Sani’s judgment; he may well redefine what Kaduna State expects from the office of deputy governor. In that sense, Jerry Adams is indeed more than just a running mate. He is both a symbol of a new political direction and one of the most consequential tests of Governor Uba Sani’s second-term vision.
… Ado writes from Kaduna