Beyond condolences: Why politicians, businessmen trooped to Katsina

When Hajiya Safara’u Umaru Barebari, the mother of Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, died at the age of 93, the flood of condolence visits that followed was expected—but the calibre, composition and sheer number of sympathisers revealed a deeper undercurrent of political manoeuvring and alignments beyond mere grief. While these visits, on the surface, […]

When Hajiya Safara’u Umaru Barebari, the mother of Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, died at the age of 93, the flood of condolence visits that followed was expected—but the calibre, composition and sheer number of sympathisers revealed a deeper undercurrent of political manoeuvring and alignments beyond mere grief.

While these visits, on the surface, symbolise sympathy and respect, they also spotlight deeper political undercurrents and realignments in the build-up to 2027, political analysts have observed.

The visibly grief-stricken Governor Radda, who cut short his lesser Hajj in Makkah to attend to his late mother’s burial, received guests not only in Katsina but also in Saudi Arabia and Abuja.

As is customary, family, friends and political associates gathered to mourn and commiserate. But in Nigeria’s political landscape, such solemn occasions often double as strategic arenas—where alliances are made, rivalries softened, and futures quietly charted.

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Familiar trend in Katsina

Katsina State is not unfamiliar with such high-profile mourning. When Hajiya Dada, mother of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, died, aged 102, last year, a similar outpouring of condolences followed. Such events, while centred on loss, often become avenues for political networking—opportunities to connect, reconnect, or mend strained relationships.

This pattern repeated itself with the passing of Hajiya Barebari, as politicians from across the country and party lines journeyed to commiserate with Governor Radda. Among the first to visit him in Saudi Arabia were prominent northern governors: Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe (Chairman, Northern Governors Forum), Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger, Prof. Babagana Zulum of Borno, Uba Sani of Kaduna, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara.

Others who made the trip included APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, former Senate president Bukola Saraki, and business magnate Dahiru Mangal.

Back in Nigeria, the governor continued to receive a stream of political and traditional leaders. Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was among the top visitors in Katsina. Former Vice president Atiku Abubakar also paid a visit. A delegation led by former Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, conveyed condolences on behalf of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Governors from Imo, Zamfara, Kebbi, Yobe and Sokoto states visited, as did Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and his Jigawa counterpart, Alhaji Umar Namadi, who attended the funeral prayer in Radda town.

Also present were Senate Deputy President Barau I. Jibrin and a Senate delegation; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, former Senate president, Ahmed Lawan, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, business mogul Arthur Eze, 2023 Labour Party vice presidential candidate Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, and former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

Traditional and religious leaders from various parts of the country also turned out in large numbers.

 

Not just about sympathy

While these condolence visits highlight the esteem in which Governor Radda and his late mother were held, political analysts believe the situation goes beyond paying last respects.

Dr Shehu Yahaya, a political scientist from the Federal University Dutsin-Ma, outlined several reasons why the avalanche of condolence visits carried political undertones.

“I would hinge my analysis on three things,” he said. “One, Governor Radda is a young, vibrant and charismatic politician who has a future in politics. Two, Governor Radda is a man of the people who established connections through different positions he held. And three, Governor Radda is someone who always finds time to visit people to either rejoice or sympathise with them.”

He added that traditional and religious norms naturally encourage condolence visits, especially from those with personal or professional ties.

 

Networking and future alignments

Dr Yahaya noted that many politicians seized the occasion to establish or strengthen political relationships with the governor.

“As a man with a bright future in politics, who controls a state and holds regional influence, many would want to associate with him,” he said.

He also pointed out the media’s role in amplifying the significance of the visits. “The wide coverage given by the media makes others feel this condolence is worth attending, and they may meet other persons of interest,” he explained.

On the political impact, Dr Yahaya noted: “These visits leave a long-lasting effect. The calibre and number of those who came give you confidence that Radda has something to offer politically whenever the need arises.”

In his final observation, he said: “Governor Radda has more potential than all his peers in this region, considering his age and pedigree.”

 

Regional influence and national relevance

Dr Kabir Umar Musa, Head of the Political Science Department at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina, echoed similar views, insisting that the condolence visits had clear political undertones.

“You can’t take away politics from it,” he said. “First of all, if he were not a governor, you would not see all those people coming personally to condole with him.”

He noted that Governor Radda’s role as chairman of the North-West Governors’ Forum, along with his administrative style, gives him a significant stake in both regional and national politics.

“Katsina is a key player in national elections. If you take away Kano, no other state contributes more votes in presidential elections than Katsina. So, it is a political hub,” he said.

According to Dr Musa, Governor Radda’s firm control over the political space in Katsina has not gone unnoticed.

“No other governor in the North West has incapacitated the opposition in his state like Radda has in Katsina,” he noted.

He observed that politicians from other parties and regions may be drawn to Radda due to his perceived strength and potential.

“In Nigerian politics, today you may be in different parties, but tomorrow you may share the same platform. Radda is someone many believe has something to offer,” he added.

 

 Eyes on 2027?

Dr Musa also linked the visits to early positioning for the 2027 elections.

“The wind of 2027 has started blowing already, and Dikko Radda has some impact,” he said.

He concluded with a hint at emerging speculations: “There are insinuations that there might be some changes in 2027, and Governor Radda is one of those prospective candidates for certain national positions. These are some of the reasons many are coming to him.”