By Danjuma Amodu
KADUNA – Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, on Tuesday nominated the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service, KADIRS, Mr. Jerry Adams, FCTI, FNIM, CNA, as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election.
In a statement he personally signed, the governor said the nomination reflects his administration’s commitment to inclusion, justice, fairness, equity and good governance.
He described Adams as an accomplished public servant, institution builder and respected tax administrator whose leadership at KADIRS has significantly strengthened the state’s fiscal capacity.
“This decision is far greater than the selection of a deputy governorship candidate. It is a reaffirmation of the values that have guided our administration since I took the oath of office on 29 May 2023.”
– Governor Uba Sani
“This decision reinforces our vision of a united, peaceful and prosperous Kaduna State where merit, competence and character remain the foundation of leadership,” the governor added.
Governor Sani said the choice aligns with his vision of a Kaduna where every citizen has a genuine sense of belonging.
“Our history has taught us difficult lessons about the heavy cost of division, mistrust and exclusion. Yet it has also shown us that when we choose dialogue over discord, inclusion over alienation and justice over prejudice, our people achieve extraordinary things together,” he said.
The governor noted that over the past three years, his administration had prioritised equitable distribution of development projects across the state’s 23 local government areas, with investments in roads, education, healthcare, agriculture, water supply, rural development and social protection.
He added that the government had worked with traditional rulers, religious leaders, community organisations, women and youth groups to promote peaceful coexistence and restore confidence in governance.
According to him, improved security in many parts of the state has enabled farmers to return to their farms, encouraged business expansion and attracted more investments.
On the nominee, Sani said Adams, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management, had distinguished himself as a seasoned public servant and tax administrator.
He credited the KADIRS chairman with transforming the agency into one of the country’s leading revenue agencies through innovation, transparency and professionalism.
Under Adams’ leadership, KADIRS recorded improved Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, and expanded digital tax collection. The governor said the gains had strengthened the state’s fiscal capacity and enabled greater investment in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and other critical sectors.
Beyond his professional record, Sani described Adams as “a man of integrity, humility and quiet strength,” who has consistently demonstrated commitment to peace, reconciliation and inclusive governance.
The announcement sets the stage for the 2027 governorship race in Kaduna, with observers saying the choice of Adams signals a focus on economic management and continuity of current administration policies.
