KADUNA: Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has officially declared his intention to contest the Kaduna Central senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections under the platform of the All-Progressives Congress (APC).
Sani made the announcement via his verified social media handle, revealing that he has obtained the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms ahead of the contest.
The former lawmaker represented Kaduna Central in the Senate between 2015 and 2019 before losing his re-election bid. His defeat followed a prolonged political rift with the then governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.
The disagreement between both politicians stemmed from differing views on key state policies, including urban renewal initiatives, the dismissal of teachers, and the state’s rising debt profile.
The conflict deepened when Sani, who was Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts at the time, opposed a $350 million loan request by the Kaduna State Government from the World Bank.
He had warned that such borrowing could burden future generations with unsustainable debt, a stance that drew strong criticism from El-Rufai and his allies.
Ahead of the 2019 elections, Sani was initially granted an automatic ticket by the APC’s national leadership. However, the state chapter of the party rejected the arrangement and conducted a parallel primary election.
That process produced Uba Sani—now the incumbent governor—as the party’s candidate, effectively ending Shehu Sani’s bid under the APC platform at the time.
Following the controversy, Shehu Sani defected to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), where he contested the senatorial election but was unsuccessful.
He has since returned to the APC and is now seeking to reclaim the Kaduna Central seat in the National Assembly.
Sani’s declaration signals a renewed political ambition and sets the stage for what could be a competitive race in Kaduna Central, a district known for its active political landscape.
His re-entry into the contest under the APC platform also highlights shifting alliances within the party as preparations gradually build toward the 2027 general elections.
Political observers say the development could reshape dynamics within Kaduna politics, especially given Sani’s previous influence and outspoken role during his time in the Senate.
