Uba Sani, the incumbent APC governor, holds the leading position in the Kaduna 2027 gubernatorial race following his unopposed party primary in May 2026, where he received overwhelming affirmation votes from delegates across all 23 local government areas. Recent large-scale defections of lawmakers, former PDP figures, and other politicians to the APC have further consolidated his support base and legislative control ahead of the general election. Isa Mohammed Ashiru of the ADC, the strongest challenger with prior statewide experience, faces ongoing internal party disputes and court challenges over the primary outcome, while PDP candidate Shehu Usman Bawa and others contend with fragmented opposition structures. INEC’s final list of 16 cleared candidates reflects these dynamics, with trader consensus reflecting the incumbent’s organizational advantages and the opposition’s coordination hurdles in the months before voting.