The final list of the 2027 Kaduna governorship election shows only one female candidate among the 16 contestants.

The Independent National Electoral Commission’s final list shows that Jamila Mohammed of the Young Progressives Party will contest the February 6, 2027 election alongside her running mate, Ramson Nwoha.

The list, signed by INEC secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony, contains the names, political parties, ages, genders and educational qualifications of the governorship candidates and their running mates.

A review of the 2023 governorship election shows that no woman contested the governorship seat in Kaduna.

Women featured in the previous election as deputy governorship candidates, including Hadiza Balarabe, who ran on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress.

Ms Mohammed’s candidature, therefore, marks a notable development in women’s participation in the state’s governorship contest, subject to the final list remaining unchanged.

Five other political parties have women as running mates in the forthcoming election.

They are Mohammed Rahinatu of the Action Democratic Party, Esuga Zainab of the Labour Party, Abdullahi Likko of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Samuel Bijeh of the National Rescue Movement and Shamaki Arthus of the Social Democratic Party.

The other governorship candidates include Adamu Ahamed of the Action Alliance, who will run with Yakubu Yav; Isa Ashiru of the African Democratic Congress, with Kantiok Ishaku; and Governor Sani Uba of the APC, with Adams Jerry.

(NAN)