| Election Name: | 2011 Kaduna State gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Nigeria |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 2007 Kaduna gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 2007 |
| Next Election: | 2015 Kaduna gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 2015 |
| Election Date: | April 28, 2011 |
| Turnout: | 66.18%[1] |
| Nominee1: | Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa |
| Running Mate1: | Mukhtar Ramalan Yero |
| Party1: | People's Democratic Party (Nigeria) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,334,319 |
| Percentage1: | 52.34% |
| Nominee2: | Haruna Saeed Kajuru |
| Party2: | Congress for Progressive Change |
| Popular Vote2: | 1,133,564 |
| Percentage2: | 44.46% |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa (incumbent) |
| Before Party: | People's Democratic Party (Nigeria) |
| After Election: | Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa (reelected) |
| After Party: | People's Democratic Party (Nigeria) |
The 2011 Kaduna State gubernatorial election occurred on April 28, 2011, after a two-day delay due to security concerns.[2] [3] Of the over five political parties contesting, just two were formidable, the PDP and newly formed CPC.[4] The PDP candidate and incumbent governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, defeated Haruna Saeed of CPC and 12 others, polling 52.34% of the total valid votes.[5] [6] [7] [8]
Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa emerged winner in the PDP gubernatorial primary election. He retained Mukhtar Ramalan Yero as his running mate.[9] [10]
The Governor of Kaduna State is elected using the plurality voting system.
A total of 14 candidates registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission to contest in the election. The PDP candidate won[11] with a total valid vote of 1,334,319 ballots representing 52.36% of the total votes, closely followed by the CPC candidate who polled 1,133,564 ballot votes representing 44.46% of the total vote cast. ANPP got 33,142 votes, PRP 21,200 votes, and ACN 20,094 votes.[12]
A crisis erupted after the elections in 18 out of the 23 LGAs across the state, which led to loss of lives and property, with a death toll of between 401 and 957 people as put together by the judicial commission of inquiry.[13]