President Tinubu’s recent visit to Katsina State has reignited political tensions that characterized the 2023 presidential election in the North West, stirring concerns about a repeat in 2027.
Katsina and Kebbi may not share borders, but both are key parts of the so-called Kadashian states—Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Kano—where former President Muhammadu Buhari historically commanded a legendary 12-million-vote bank. These states remain a focus for President Tinubu as he works to solidify his base and prevent any slip in the next electoral cycle.
While Kaduna appears secured under Governor Uba Sani, Tinubu’s campaign strategy continues to evolve across the region. In 2023, Tinubu drew votes from Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina, even though only two of the three states elected APC governors. His recent tour of Katsina, therefore, served both as a demonstration of strength and a statement of intent.
The President showered praises on Governor Dikko Umaru Radda for his administration’s development strides. He lauded the swift completion of the Ajiwa-Ruwan Godiya Road, describing it as evidence of effective governance. At the inauguration of the Katsina Agricultural Mechanisation Centre, Tinubu commended Radda’s integrity and focus on agriculture, saying these qualities show he understands the pulse of his people. He assured the people that the Federal Government stands firmly behind the governor and his policies.
Governor Radda seized the opportunity to highlight Katsina’s Sustainable Urban and Rural Water and Sanitation and Health (NG-SURWASH) programme, which aims to provide clean water to over one million residents. He declared that Tinubu’s presence in the state cemented ties between Katsina and the Presidency, praising the cross-party solidarity shown during the visit.
However, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) harshly criticized both the visit and the praises heaped on Tinubu. The party described Radda’s endorsement of Tinubu as an insult to the suffering masses, pointing to persistent insecurity, poverty, and hardship in the state. PDP spokesperson Malam Salihu Bamle dismissed the cheering crowds as “hired supporters” and called out Radda’s loyalty to what they termed a “failed Presidency.”
The PDP accused the Tinubu administration of overseeing economic collapse, with its subsidy removal, currency devaluation, and failure to implement effective palliatives. They argued that Tinubu’s reforms had intensified inflation, unemployment, and insecurity, particularly in rural Katsina. They also criticized the projects commissioned during the visit, stating they offered no real comfort to struggling families.
In Kebbi State, Tinubu’s visit to Katsina reignited internal squabbles within the APC. The state, where Atiku Abubakar defeated Tinubu in the 2023 presidential vote, remains a flashpoint of tension. APC stakeholders have repeatedly accused Governor Nasir Idris of siding with Atiku and undermining Tinubu’s campaign. These claims resurfaced through a viral Facebook post by Mukhtar Dan Baturiya, an ally of former Attorney General Abubakar Malami (SAN), alleging the governor planned to defect from the APC.
Governor Idris, who was abroad at the time, reported the matter to security agencies, leading to Baturiya’s arrest. He later retracted the post, blaming misinformation from another platform. Still, the damage was done. Political tensions deepened between supporters of Malami, Idris, and former APC governorship candidate Mallam Salisu Isa Nataro, who has emerged as a potential alternative for party leadership in the state.
Nataro, seen aligning himself closely with the Presidency, praised Tinubu’s reforms and the return of looted funds to the country. He described the Katsina visit as inspiring and indicative of Tinubu’s economic recovery plan.
The APC’s internal friction in Kebbi has prompted what some observers call a strategic reset. Prominent defectors—Senators Adamu Aliero, Sabi Abdullahi, and Garba Maidoki—rejoined the party after meeting with President Tinubu and APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Their return is widely interpreted as a move to consolidate the party ahead of 2027 and end lingering discord.
Senator Abdullahi, who had left APC due to intraparty disagreements, said the issues were resolved by Governor Idris and that his return marked a political homecoming. Senator Maidoki cited renewed confidence in the party’s ideals, especially following security improvements in his constituency. Aliero was more direct, saying his defection back to APC stemmed from PDP’s disconnect from the people’s aspirations.
These defections strengthen APC’s prospects, even as rumors persist that Malami may be plotting a move to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Whatever the case, APC now has a reinforced structure in Kebbi, possibly better equipped for the next round of elections.
As President Tinubu’s Katsina tour continues to make waves, APC’s success in reclaiming the North West will depend on how well it manages the political ambitions of key players and resolves lingering tensions. With 2027 on the horizon, the stakes have never been higher.
