Deputy governor to Southern Kaduna elders: Adams is my successor, support him

Kaduna state deputy governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, has urged members of the Southern Kaduna APC Elders’ Forum to accord the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate, Jerry Adams, the same respect, or even greater, that they extended to her during her tenure.

Balarabe made the appeal at the inauguration of the Southern Kaduna APC Elders’ Forum’s Tinubu-Uba Sani 2027 Initiative held in Kafanchan Kaduna.

Pointing to Adams, who was present at the event, the deputy governor said they had worked closely together over a long period, describing his presence as an opportunity for the elders to begin extending their support to him.

“You see here, I and the incoming deputy governor, we have been together for so long. We have been together since morning, so I’m happy and glad that we have been providing things to you. I want to use this opportunity to urge you all to please accord the same and even more respect that you accord me during my time here. That’s what I want,” she said.

Balarabe who represented governor Uba Sani at the event also charged the elders to take responsibility for mentoring younger people and guide them away from violent politics, stressing that the future of Southern Kaduna depended not only on physical development but also on the capacity and character of its people.

She said the inauguration of the forum and its Tinubu-Uba Sani 2027 initiative represented a commitment to continuity, purposeful leadership and inclusive governance.

According to her, Southern Kaduna had received renewed attention under the federal and state administrations, citing interventions in education, healthcare, roads, security and human capital development.

She highlighted the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, the Federal Medical Centre in Southern Kaduna, increased federal security presence and the appointment of a Southern Kaduna indigene as Minister of Defence as examples of what she described as greater inclusion.

At the state level, Balarabe said Governor Sani’s administration had pursued reconciliation, inclusion and development, particularly through road projects, primary healthcare, peace-building, education, skills development and support for enterprise.

She, however, urged the elders to see their responsibility as extending beyond political mobilisation, saying they must help shape responsible participation among youths.

“Your task is noble but demanding. So here is my charge to you at this critical time: I want you to mentor. I need you to guide our youth away from the politics of brutality,” she said.

In his opening remarks, the Coordinator of the Southern Kaduna APC Elders’ Forum, Hon. John Micah Avong, said the forum was established to provide wisdom, guidance and direction in the political affairs of the region.

Avong said the elders had come together to deploy their experience and networks towards strengthening the All Progressives Congress (APC), promoting responsible political participation, mentoring younger leaders and contributing to the development of Southern Kaduna, Kaduna State and Nigeria.

He called on members to remain united, disciplined and respectful, while placing the collective interest of the people above personal ambitions.

The coordinator reaffirmed the forum’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani, saying the inauguration marked the beginning of what he described as a new chapter of responsible political engagement in Southern Kaduna.