Months to election, opposition parties still battling crises in Katsina

Barely seven months to the 2027 governorship election, the race for Katsina State’s top political seat is intensifying. However, while the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) leverages its incumbency to consolidate power, major opposition parties are struggling to overcome  internal crises that threaten their electoral prospects. Political observers note that public concern over economic challenges, […]

Barely seven months to the 2027 governorship election, the race for Katsina State’s top political seat is intensifying. However, while the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) leverages its incumbency to consolidate power, major opposition parties are struggling to overcome  internal crises that threaten their electoral prospects.

Political observers note that public concern over economic challenges, unemployment, and insecurity has created a strong appetite for change among voters. Yet, analysts warn that the opposition is failing to provide a unified front.

They say the situation might get worse in the coming days as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday opened the portal for political parties to upload their governorship and House of Assembly candidates. Most of the opposition parties in the state are yet to arrive at a single governorship candidate, leaving them in a dilemma over who to upload to the INEC portal.

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The ADC crumbles from within

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) was initially projected to emerge as a powerful “third force” in Katsina.

The party recently attracted several political heavyweights who defected from both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including Dr. Mustapha Inuwa, a deeply rooted grassroots politician and former Secretary to the Katsina State Government. Others include Lawal Daura, a former Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), and Senator Ahmed Babba Kaita, a former Senator representing Katsina North.

Despite high initial expectations, this influx has instead triggered deep divisions, parallel congresses, and threats of endless litigation over leadership structures and the legitimacy of the recently conducted party primary.

The crisis deepened when one faction produced Senator Ahmed Babba Kaita as its governorship candidate, while a rival faction put forward Salisu Lawal Uli. Furthermore, a bitter dispute has erupted regarding Kaita’s selection via an alleged “consensus” arrangement.

Dr. Mustapha Inuwa strongly rejected the outcome, arguing that no valid primary election took place. He claimed that a small committee arbitrarily ranked the aspirants instead of holding the promised direct vote or a mutually agreed consensus. Inuwa is now demanding entirely fresh governorship and legislative primaries.

Similarly, Lawal Daura denied widespread reports that he stepped down to run for a senatorial position. The former intelligence chief maintained that he remains firmly in the governorship race, warning that he will take legal action if the party ignores transparent due process. Meanwhile, Kaita’s supporters believe that broad stakeholder consultations produced him as the strongest candidate given his statewide reach.

The prolonged infighting is already fracturing the party’s ranks. A major blow landed recently when Alhaji Ali Dantunkura, an ADC National Assembly ticket holder, announced his resignation from the party, citing personal reasons. Reports indicate that legislative aspirants are actively defecting to the PDP and APC, while both major parties have reportedly approached Dr. Inuwa to capitalize on the ADC’s vulnerabilities.

PDP finds stability under Lado Danmarke

In contrast to the turmoil within the ADC, the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has successfully rallied around Senator Yakubu Garba Lado Danmarke. His emergence has brought a stabilizing effect to the party’s statewide operations.

Danmarke, who has served as a local government chairman, a member of the House of Representatives, and a senator, commands a well-established personal political network. His supporters believe that public frustration over the rising cost of living and regional security concerns presents the PDP with its best opportunity in years to reclaim the state. Highlighting this potential, hundreds of retrenched civil servants recently met with Danmarke, pledging their families’ backing.

However, political analysts stress that popularity alone will not secure victory. The PDP faces the urgent task of strengthening its grassroots presence and moving beyond traditional strongholds to capture undecided voters.

Opposition sleeping, analyst warns

Political commentators suggest that the opposition is running out of time to build a compelling alternative. Abdulmuminu Shehu Sani, a Katsina-based political analyst, offered a blunt assessment of the current landscape:

“If you critically look at the trend in Katsina, you will find out that only a few political parties registered their presence in the state, and those that have registered are busy sleeping. Under normal circumstances, the opposition would be mounting strong pressure on the ruling party regarding socioeconomic activities. Unfortunately, they are too busy dragging out conflicts over who gets what.”

While Sani acknowledged that the APC enters the race as the favorite due to its institutional strength, he cautioned that it is not too late for an upset if the opposition parties can successfully resolve their internal feuds and address the pressing needs of the electorate.

The APC’s incumbency advantage

Operating from a position of relative organizational strength, the ruling APC remains firmly in control. Led by Governor Dikko Umar Radda, the party commands extensive political machinery across all 34 local government areas, benefiting from high government visibility and federal backing.

The Radda administration has systematically executed rural community programs to preserve its popular voter base. Observers believe the upcoming election will be decided not just by candidate popularity, but by organizational discipline and the ability to present a credible roadmap for Katsina’s development and safety.