The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Rt. Hon. Shehu Usman Bawa, has engaged party leaders and stakeholders in Southern Kaduna, seeking their support ahead of the 2027 governorship election. Bawa made the appeal on Friday in Kafanchan while addressing PDP leaders, supporters, and stakeholders from the Southern Kaduna Senatorial District. His running mate, Hon. Amos Adamu Gandu, was also present at the gathering. The meeting was part of the PDP's ongoing organisational and mobilisation activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
Bawa emerged as the PDP's governorship candidate in May after defeating Haruna Kajuru at the party's primary election. He polled 124,170 votes against Kajuru's 22,010. Addressing the gathering, Bawa urged political office seekers to be cautious about making promises they would be unable to fulfil once elected. He stressed that public leadership should be founded on accountability, transparency, and responsibility.
Bawa's administration, if elected, would adopt a bottom-to-top approach to governance, with government policies and programmes shaped around the needs and aspirations of communities at the grassroots. He said his intention was to ensure that governance was not concentrated around government offices and major urban centres but extended to communities where ordinary citizens directly experience the challenges that public policies are expected to address.
The PDP State Chairman, Chief Edward Percy Masha, said the Kafanchan engagement was organised to provide the governorship candidate and his running mate with an opportunity to interact directly with party members and stakeholders in Southern Kaduna and hear concerns from the zone. Masha urged party members to remain united and committed as the 2027 elections approach.
Masha criticised the APC-led administration over what he described as increasing hardship among citizens. He alleged that the Kaduna State Government had failed to fulfil a promise concerning the payment of entitlements to disengaged traditional leaders, district heads, and teachers. The PDP chairman made the allegation at the party gathering, which represents the position of the opposition party.
Southern Kaduna leaders have expressed support for Bawa's candidacy. The PDP Zonal Chairman, Hon. Yusuf Danjuma Akuso, described Bawa as a "fine gentleman" and expressed confidence in his candidacy. Former Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Nuhu Bajoga, criticised the present administration and described it as a "government of deceit", urging PDP supporters to remain mobilised ahead of the 2027 election.
For Bawa, the Kafanchan meeting provided another opportunity to position his campaign around grassroots participation and direct engagement with communities. His campaign platform lists proposed interventions in areas including primary healthcare, public schools, digital infrastructure, and youth employment. The PDP is preparing to challenge the APC for political control of Kaduna State, with the party seeking to deepen engagement with its structures across Kaduna State.
Key points
- PDP governorship candidate Rt. Hon. Shehu Usman Bawa engages party leaders and stakeholders in Southern Kaduna.
- Bawa's administration, if elected, would adopt a bottom-to-top approach to governance.
- The PDP is preparing to challenge the APC for political control of Kaduna State.
