Traditional Rulers — pre-colonial polities (pre-1879)#
Kaduna sits on the Hausa-Habe heartland plus a deep belt of non-Muslim Middle Belt polities. North: Zazzau (Zaria) Kingdom — one of the Hausa Bakwai, founded c. 1536, famously ruled by Queen Amina of Zazzau (c. 1576–1610), conqueror as far as the Niger. South and centre: the Atyap (Kataf), Bajju, Adara (Kadara), Gbagyi (Gwari), Ham (Jaba), Kagoro, Kaninkon, Numana, Moro'a, Atakar, Ninzo, Mada, Koro and dozens of other chiefdoms — never conquered by Sokoto, never paid tribute. The 1804 Sokoto jihad under Mallam Musa overthrew the Habe (Hausa) dynasty of Zazzau in 1808 and installed the Fulani Bornawa, Mallawa, Sullubawa and Katsinawa ruling houses (still rotating today). The southern chiefdoms — what colonial officers later called the "pagan tribes" — resisted both Sokoto and the British. Reigning Emir of Zazzau (Zaria): HRH Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli (Mallawa, since Oct 2020, after the controversial removal of Shehu Idris lineage). Other first-class: Emir of Birnin Gwari (HRH Zubairu Mai-Gwari II), Emir of Jema'a (Kafanchan area), Emir of Kagoro, Agom Adara, Agwam Atyap, Gbong Gwom Jos (cross-border with Plateau), Sa Gbagyi.
Colonial era (1900–1960)#
Zaria Province of the Northern Protectorate; Lugard moved his capital from Jebba to Zungeru (1902) and then to Kaduna (1916) — purpose-built as the capital of the unified Northern Nigeria. The 1903 Zaria Treaty brought Zazzau under British protection without a battle; the southern Kaduna chiefdoms were "pacified" between 1903 and 1925 (the Moroa Patrol 1904, Kagoro Patrol 1905, Kaje Patrol 1910). Kaduna remained the seat of the Northern Region 1939–67. Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna, governed from Kaduna, not Sokoto.
Northern Region Premier (1954–1966)#
- 1954–15 Jan 1966 — Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto (NPC) — assassinated in Kaduna on 15 Jan 1966 by Maj. Hassan Katsina's intervention notwithstanding; killed by Maj. Nzeogwu in the first coup at the Premier's Lodge, Kaduna.
North-Central / Kaduna State military Governors (1967–1979)#
North-Central State created 27 May 1967 (capital Kaduna), renamed Kaduna State in 1976 (Murtala reforms, when Katsina was still part of it). • 1967–1975 — Col. Abba Kyari (North-Central). • 1975–1978 — Col. Usman Jibrin. • 1978–1979 — Col. Lawrence Anebi Onoja.
Second Republic civilian Governor (1979–1983)#
- 1979–1983 — Alh. Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa (PRP) — Nigeria's first impeached governor (impeached by NPN-controlled House of Assembly, 23 June 1981) for refusing to appoint NPN commissioners. Deputy Alh. Abba Musa Rimi declined to take over; House Speaker Alh. Lawal Kaita never sworn-in.
- 1981–1983 — Acting / Alh. Lawal Kaita (NPN) interim arrangement; Alh. Lawal Kaita elected Governor Oct 1983 (NPN) — sacked by 31 Dec 1983 coup.
Kaduna State military Administrators (1984–1999)#
- 1984–1985 — Air Cdre. Usman Mu'azu.
- 1985–1988 — Col. Abubakar Umar (Buhari I → IBB).
- 1988–1990 — Col. Hamid Ali.
- 1990–1992 — Col. Tanko Ayuba.
- 1992–1993 — Alh. Mohammed Dabo Lere (SDP) — Third Republic civilian Governor; Kaduna split — Katsina State excised 23 Sep 1987.
- 1993–1996 — Col. Lawal Ja'afaru Isa.
- 1996–1998 — Col. Umar Faruq Ahmed.
- 1998–1999 — Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (later Customs CG under Buhari).
Fourth Republic civilian Governors & Deputies (1999–present)#
| Tenure | Governor | Deputy | Party | Notes | |---|---|---|---|---| | 1999–2007 | Alh. Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi | Alh. Stephen Shekari | PDP | Two terms; chair PDP caretaker 2016–17; senator 2011–15. | | 2007–19 May 2010 | Alh. Namadi Sambo | Alh. Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa | PDP | Resigned to become Jonathan's Vice-President (2010–15). | | 19 May 2010–2011 | Alh. Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa | (Acting then elected) Mukhtar Ramalan Yero | PDP | First Christian Governor of Kaduna; sworn in on Sambo's elevation. | | 2011–15 Dec 2012 | Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa (elected) | Mukhtar Ramalan Yero | PDP | Killed in NAF helicopter crash, Okoroba, Bayelsa, 15 Dec 2012 returning from ex-NSA Azazi's funeral — the only sitting Nigerian governor ever killed in office. | | 15 Dec 2012–2015 | Alh. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero | Nuhu Bajoga Audu | PDP | Completed Yakowa's term. | | 2015–2023 | Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai | Barnabas Yusuf Bala (Bantex) (2015–19) / Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe | APC | Two terms; sacked 22,000 teachers (2017); reduced LGAs from 23 to no-elections; Balarabe = first female Deputy Governor in northern Nigeria. | | 2023–present | Sen. Uba Sani | Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe | APC | Former senator Kaduna Central; inherited ₦80 bn el-Rufai-era debt dispute. |
Sources & gaps#
Last, *The Sokoto Caliphate* (1967) on Zazzau; M. G. Smith, *Government in Zazzau 1800–1950* (1960); James Wuye & Muhammad Ashafa on southern Kaduna; NPC Kaduna gazettes; INEC 1999–2023; Yakowa air-crash AIB report (2013); *Balarabe Musa Impeachment Report* (Kaduna House of Assembly, 1981).