Kaduna State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Sadiq Mamman-Lagos, has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will retain the state in the 2027 general elections, saying there is no strong opposition capable of dislodging the ruling party.
Mamman-Lagos, who spoke in an interview with journalists on Friday, attributed the expected victory to what he described as visible developments across the state under Governor Uba Sani, as well as the growing political acceptance of the administration among residents.
He cautioned politicians against relying on social media activities, saying social media trends, online followers and crowds at political rallies do not necessarily translate into votes during elections.
According to him, the majority of Nigerian voters, particularly women in rural communities, are not active on social media and remain the critical factor in determining the outcome of elections.
He said: ‘Politics, you don’t do politics on social media, and you don’t do elections on social media. Ninety-five per cent of the electorate don’t even have phones like this. They are the ordinary people who go and queue and vote, especially women.’
Mamman-Lagos said women play a decisive role in Nigerian elections, stressing that their turnout, particularly in rural areas and local government communities, could determine whether a candidate wins or loses.
He also dismissed large crowds at political rallies as insufficient evidence of electoral strength, citing the experience of the Osun State election, where, according to him, a large rally did not translate into the expected votes for the political platform involved.
On Kaduna, Mamman-Lagos said the state had witnessed significant changes under Governor Uba Sani, particularly in the areas of unity, infrastructure, education, healthcare and inclusiveness.
The commissioner identified Southern Kaduna as an important political bloc whose support could be decisive in the 2027 elections, noting that developments in the area had helped improve the relationship between the people and the state government.
Mamman-Lagos said the appointment of a prominent Southern Kaduna indigene as Minister of Defence was among developments that had strengthened the sense of inclusion in the area, alongside road construction, renovation of hospitals and other projects.
He particularly cited Chikun and Kajuru local government areas as critical components of Southern Kaduna’s political equation, saying developments in the two areas could influence the wider political direction of the region.
Mamman-Lagos said the APC had also made significant political inroads into areas previously regarded as strongholds of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding that several political office holders had moved into the APC.
He attributed the administration’s ability to promote unity to Governor Uba Sani’s background and exposure, describing him as a Kaduna-born politician who had interacted with people across ethnic and religious divides.
According to him, the governor’s approach had helped create a more inclusive political environment in which people from different parts of the country could live, work and contribute to the development of Kaduna State.
Mamman-Lagos also highlighted infrastructure projects undertaken by the administration, including road construction, renovation of primary schools and rehabilitation of hospitals, saying the projects were evidence of what he described as the government’s commitment to development.
He said the administration had also invested in waste management and employment-generating initiatives, including the engagement of thousands of people in sanitation operations, which he said had helped improve the environment and reduce idleness among youths.
Mamman-Lagos further disclosed that the state government had strengthened support for traditional institutions by reviewing the salaries and allowances of traditional rulers and village heads, following what he described as years of neglect.
He said the review covered traditional rulers across the state, from village heads to emirs, adding that the government was also working towards providing vehicles for traditional rulers who require them for official duties.
The commissioner said the traditional institution remained important to governance, peace and security because traditional rulers had close knowledge of their communities and could assist government in identifying strangers, resolving disputes and providing early warning on security threats.
Mamman-Lagos urged Kaduna residents to continue supporting the administration, saying citizens should encourage leaders when they see evidence of good governance while also remaining peaceful and law-abiding.
He said the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians were not created by the present administration alone, stressing that governments at all levels were working to address the challenges and improve the living conditions of the people.