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‎Ahead of the 2027 general election, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Auwal Lawal Daura, has thrown his weight behind the re-election bid of president Bola Tinubu
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‎Auwal, whose father, Lawal Daura, a former Director General of the Department of State Security (DSS) is the vice presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) called on the north to support president Tinubu’s re-election, and allow the south complete it’s turn in 2031
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‎The Chairman of ALD Foundation and
‎Wakilin Raya Kasar Daura emphasised the need for political actors and stakeholders to uphold the agreement in principle, between the North and Southern Nigeria to rotate the office of president, noting that it would promote unity and inclusiveness in administration
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‎While promising to mobilise total support for the APC victory in the presidential election, Auwal warned that truncating the rotation of the presidency in 2027 will deepen the division among the zones in Nigeria, as well as leave the north more divided ahead of 2031
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‎The APC chieftain therefore urged northern stakeholders to look ahead for 2031, while the south completes it’s tenure by voting for a southern candidate and the APC in the 2027 election
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‎”The south should be given the opportunity to complete their tenure, while north takes it from them in 2031. The president and the south supported the north, through our late father, General Mohammad Buhari between 2015 and 2023, so I think believe vying for the presidency in 2027 is not in the interest of a United Nigeria
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‎”We will mobilise massively for President Bola Tinubu, he supported north, and therefore deserves our support this time. The APC will win massively in the north. This is payback time for the president
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‎”We therefore urged our people to support a southern president in the 2027 election, so that the north will have a seamless contest when it gets to their turn in 2031. We cannot truncate this zoning arrangement at this time because of selfishness. Let the north wait till 2031 where we will bring out the best of the best from the north” Daura charged

By Chidera Orji

As the country grabbles with so many socio-economic problems, a United States-based Nigerian Mrs Nkechi Eze (née Nzelu), has identified insecurity as one of the major reasons many Nigerians who are based outside the country are unwilling to return home, adding that the fear of kidnapping, violent attacks and unsafe roads makes visiting home increasingly difficult.

Nkechi, who is practicing healthcare professional in USA, stated this when she spoke with some selected journalists via zoom, said although she personally remains emotionally connected to Nigeria and wishes to reunite with family members, the safety of her children and other loved ones remains her foremost consideration whenever she contemplates travelling home.

She said that her concern goes beyond the possibility of being attacked, stressing the need to be confident that she and her family could travel safely, move around freely and access emergency assistance if anything went wrong.

According to her, staying away from Nigeria does not diminish her love for the country but reflects her responsibility to protect her family from avoidable risks.

As a healthcare professional, Mrs Nkechi Eze expressed particular concern over the growing threats to the lives of medical personnel, noting that health workers should not have to risk kidnapping or death while carrying out their duties.

She observed that insecurity affects healthcare delivery at several levels, as patients may be unable to travel to hospitals at night, medical personnel may struggle to reach their workplaces, and ambulances may avoid dangerous routes.

She warned that such disruptions could have serious consequences for pregnant women experiencing emergencies, accident victims and patients requiring urgent referrals to better-equipped medical facilities.

Eze also noted that financial constraints, transportation difficulties and delays in identifying hospitals capable of providing appropriate treatment could further worsen emergencies in an already challenging environment.

On what would make her reconsider visiting Nigeria, she said sustainable improvements in security, safer roads, effective emergency response systems and credible investigations into criminal activities would be necessary.

She maintained that assurances of safety must be backed by verifiable improvements in the specific communities and locations people intend to visit.

Speaking on banditry, kidnapping and farmer-herder conflicts, Eze said the challenges reflect the need for stronger protection of ordinary citizens, urging authorities to identify and prosecute individuals responsible for criminal activities rather than unfairly blaming entire ethnic or occupational groups.

She called for improved intelligence gathering, stronger collaboration among security agencies, better-equipped and properly supervised local policing structures, as well as efficient investigations and judicial processes.

She also advocated preventive measures, including education, employment opportunities and fair mechanisms for resolving disputes, while emphasizing the importance of respecting human rights to build public confidence in security institutions.

Comparing her experience in the United States with the situation in Nigeria, Eze acknowledged that the US was not free from crime but said the predictability of its security and emergency response systems gave residents greater confidence to plan their daily activities.

She said Nigerians deserved an environment where people could go to work, visit relatives and seek medical attention without living under constant fear or depending on private security arrangements.

On healthcare administration, she highlighted the US emergency care system, where hospitals are required to screen and stabilize patients experiencing medical emergencies regardless of their immediate ability to pay.

She clarified that this does not mean emergency treatment is entirely free, but stressed that urgent medical attention should not be delayed while patients or their relatives search for money.

Turning to Nigeria’s electoral process, Eze said her experience voting in the United States had exposed her to an organized system characterised by voter privacy, clear procedures and mechanisms for verifying election results.

She explained that although voting methods differ across US states, the processes generally provide for identification, private voting, verification and audits to strengthen confidence in the outcome.

While acknowledging the efforts of hardworking electoral officials and citizens in Nigeria, she expressed concern over allegations of electoral violence and manipulation, saying such issues must be addressed through transparent processes and evidence-based investigations.

She, however, cautioned against treating every allegation of electoral malpractice as an established fact, insisting that institutions must make relevant evidence accessible and clearly explain disputed outcomes to the public.

Eze argued that credible elections could contribute to improved governance by giving citizens the opportunity to reward or remove political leaders through the ballot.

However, she stressed that elections alone would not resolve insecurity or reverse the migration of skilled professionals, adding that sustainable progress would also require effective governance, responsible public spending, enforcement of laws and improved working conditions for professionals.

On diaspora voting, she supported extending voting rights to Nigerians living abroad, provided adequate safeguards were introduced to ensure credible registration, proper identity verification, prevent multiple voting and guarantee transparent counting.

She nevertheless maintained that strengthening the credibility and security of votes cast within Nigeria should remain an immediate priority.

Eze said the effectiveness of Nigeria’s security response should ultimately be measured by practical outcomes, including whether farmers could safely return to their farmlands, nurses could work night shifts without fear and victims of kidnapping could receive prompt and professional responses from security agencies.

She maintained that Nigerians deserved dependable public institutions capable of protecting lives, safeguarding livelihoods and restoring confidence in the country’s future.

*SITUATION REPORT: THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN KATSINA STATE –

Katsina, the home state of late President Muhammadu Buhari, has entered a critical phase ahead of the February 6, 2027 governorship election. 

While Governor Dikko Umaru Radda (APC) has secured his party’s ticket by consensus and inaugurated the Tinubu/Dikko 2027 Campaign Council, the state is witnessing an unprecedented internal APC battle and a resurgent opposition led by ADC. 

Unlike Kaduna where APC dominance is consolidating, Katsina is a case of dominance under stress. 

 *PRESENT SITUATION* 

The Ruling APC – Strength on Paper, Cracks Within:

 *Consolidation:* Governor Radda was affirmed by 2,872 delegates at People’s Square, Government House. All 34 members of the State House of Assembly and National Assembly members from Katsina led by Sada Soli Jibia have endorsed him for second term. INEC has listed him with Deputy Gov. Faruk Lawal as running mate. 

 *Campaign Structure:* 

On October 17, 2026, he inaugurated the Tinubu/Dikko Campaign Council chaired by himself, with Deputy Gov. Faruk Lawal as Co-Chair, Sen. Hadi Sirika as Co-Chair II, and Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa as Director-General. 

Campaign kick-off is fixed for October 28. 

Former Governors Aminu Masari and Ibrahim Shema are listed as Grand Patrons. 

Former Gov. Masari donated N160m to ward-level mobilizers. 

 *The Internal Rift:* 

The biggest challenge is not opposition, but a rift between Radda’s camp and the camp of *Ibrahim Kabir Masari, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Political Affairs* (the Abuja-Katsina camp). Within days (Oct 5-6), five key appointees resigned: Commander-General Hisbah, Dr. Abu Ammar, his Deputy Muhammad Shitu Maslaha, Chairman Pilgrims Board Kabir Bature, SSA on Project Monitoring Fadila Dalhatu, and SA on Youth Development Abubakar Soja Tsanni. Sources link them to Masari’s camp. 

The rift escalated when Radda’s ADC, SP Abdulganiyu Bello, and CSO, DSP Hassan Bello, were quizzed by police in Abuja over destruction of billboards bearing Masari and Tinubu along Modoji Junction Road. 

The governor himself recently warned politicians to “deliver your wards to Tinubu or face consequences” and asked for forgiveness, signaling anxiety. 

 The Opposition – ADC as Main Challenger:

Sen. Ahmad Babba Kaita (Katsina North) is governorship candidate with Aminu Yar’Adua as deputy. The party unveiled a 141,107-member structure across 34 LGAs for Atiku Abubakar’s presidential bid. 

Kaita is campaigning on insecurity, poverty and bad governance, calling 2027 a chance to “vote out bad leaders” as Katsina marks 39 years of creation. 

However, ADC faces a legitimacy crisis: A rival, Salisu Uli, has challenged Kaita’s nomination in court, claiming no valid primary was held on the stipulated date. 

INEC listed Kaita, but court hearing is set for October 19. 

Former SSG Mustapha Inuwa also left ADC in August. 

 Regional Compact:*

Kaita joined 6 other North-West ADC candidates (led by Abubakar Malami) to sign the North-West Compact 2027-2031, pledging N110,000 minimum wage, reintroduction of fuel subsidy, and a technology-enabled surveillance network across 21 senatorial districts. 

They cited alarming data: over 16,000 lives lost to insecurity between June 2023-Aug 2026, 1,583 kidnappings, and 533,000 hectares of farmland abandoned in Zamfara and Katsina alone. 

 PDP: 

Garba Yakubu Lado is INEC-listed candidate. 

PDP remains relevant because it won Katsina in the 2023 presidential election despite losing governorship. 

Wike’s backing for Tinubu complicates its 2027 outlook. 

 WHO HAS THE UPPER HAND? 

Technically, APC still has the upper hand* due to control of government, LGA structures, and federal alignment. But *psychologically, the upper hand is contested:* 

In Kaduna, APC’s challenge is *external opposition* . In Katsina, APC’s challenge is *internal civil war*

If the Radda-Masari rift is not contained, it could split votes at ward level, as Masari controls significant grassroots network from Daura and beyond. 

ADC’s 141k structure is real, but its ability to convert anger over banditry and hunger into votes depends on whether it resolves its court case and presents a united front. 

Katsina voters are less concerned with billboard dominance and more with: _Can I go to my farm? Can my child go to school?_ 45% of Nigeria’s out-of-school children are in North-West. 

 HOW TO CONTAIN OR SUBDUE TENSION

*For APC Leadership:*

 *Immediate reconciliation meeting* between Gov. Radda and Ibrahim Masari brokered by former Govs. Masari and Shema and President Tinubu. 

The public quarrel over billboards and Hisbah resignations must stop. 

Stop threats of “consequences” for non-delivery of wards; instead, encourage forgiveness as the governor himself preached. 

Unify campaign council — include all three zonal directors (Katsina South – Bature Masari, North – Gwajo-Gwajo, Central – Prof. Charanchi) in decision-making. 

*For Opposition:*

ADC must resolve Kaita vs Uli quickly through internal mechanism before court decides, or risk being disqualified. 

Focus campaign on security solutions, not just criticism. 

The North-West Compact is a good start but must be localized to Katsina’s 34 LGAs. 

*For Security Agencies:*

Katsina has suffered more than most from banditry. Sustained military operations must continue in Batsari, Jibia, Kankara, Dutsin-Ma axis to allow farmers to return before dry season.

Police must remain neutral in APC intra-party dispute and not be used to harass either camp. 

*For INEC and Traditional Institutions:*

Emir of Katsina and Emir of Daura should convene peace meeting of all candidates.

INEC should monitor premature vote-buying through the N160m ward donation. 

*5. CONCLUSION*

Katsina’s politics has moved from “Buhari’s bloc vote” to “Radda vs The Rest Within APC.” 

Governor Radda has the structures, but structures without unity cannot deliver. 

The ADC has the message of insecurity and hardship, but message without unity cannot win. 

Whoever contains his own internal crisis first will have the upper hand in February 2027. 

Katsina, more than Kaduna, needs statesmanship now.