2027 elections: Don’t take Southern Kaduna Muslim votes for granted, group warns parties

The Muslim Youth Foundation of Southern Kaduna (MYFOSKA) has cautioned political parties against taking the votes of Southern Kaduna Muslims for granted, saying electoral support must be earned through fairness, inclusion and meaningful political engagement.

The group said its position followed the emergence of Christian deputy governorship candidates by the three major political parties ahead of the 2027 Kaduna governorship election.

In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Dr. Kabir  Muhammed, MYFOSKA said its concern was not about denying Southern Kaduna representation in government but about ensuring religious inclusion and equal political opportunities.

“While we fully respect the constitutional right of every political party to nominate candidates of its choice, we equally affirm that citizens possess the democratic right to determine where their support and votes should be invested. Electoral support should never be presumed; it must be earned through fairness, inclusion, mutual respect and meaningful engagement with all constituencies,” the statement said.

The group noted that the incumbent Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, is from Sanga Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna, stressing that her emergence had already given the region geographical representation.

According to MYFOSKA, the current concern centres on what it described as the need for religious inclusion in the state’s political leadership.

“The issue before us today is therefore not one of geographical representation, but one of religious inclusion, equity and equal political opportunity,” it stated.

The group argued that Southern Kaduna Muslims constitute a significant segment of the population and had continued to contribute to the social, economic and political development of the state.

It further said the inclusion of a Southern Kaduna Muslim as deputy governor over the past years had strengthened confidence in public institutions and promoted peaceful coexistence across communities.

MYFOSKA also cautioned against statements capable of inflaming religious and ethnic tensions, particularly claims regarding the demographic strength of Southern Kaduna.

“Democracy is ultimately determined by the votes freely cast by citizens, not by speculative statistics or divisive rhetoric,” the group said.

It described the Southern Kaduna Muslim Ummah as a formidable political constituency whose contribution to electoral outcomes should neither be underestimated nor taken for granted.

The group, however, urged members of the Southern Kaduna Muslim community to remain peaceful, law-abiding and continue to promote dialogue and mutual respect.

It also called on political parties and candidates to embrace inclusive politics, saying equitable engagement with all religious and ethnic groups remained critical to sustainable peace and democratic stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.