February 2, 2026
Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Katsina State have formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dikko Umaru Radda as the party’s sole candidates for the 2027 general elections, reaffirming the state’s position as a stronghold of the ruling party.
The endorsement was made on Monday during a high-level APC stakeholders’ meeting held at Government House, Katsina, attended by party leaders, elders, former governors and deputy governors, members of the National and State Assemblies, local government chairmen, councillors and grassroots representatives from across the state.
The event also featured the formal reception and handover of political defectors from other parties to the APC, a move described as further strengthening party unity and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls.
Speaking at the gathering, Governor Radda declared that Katsina’s political structures were deeply rooted, cohesive and fully mobilised behind the APC. He noted that all 34 local government chairmen, 361 councillors, all members of the State House of Assembly and National Assembly from the state are APC members, describing this as evidence of the party’s unity and dominance in Katsina.
Governor Radda traced Katsina’s long-standing political alliance with the South-West, recalling the state’s historic support for Chief Moshood Abiola during the SDP era and its role in Nigeria’s democratic evolution under leaders such as the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said Katsina’s support for President Tinubu was based on a principled and enduring partnership rather than political convenience, stressing that the alliance had been mutually beneficial over decades.
“Katsina has consistently supported leaders from the South-West, just as they have supported our sons. Today, we reaffirm that partnership by fully endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term,” the governor said.
In a symbolic gesture, Governor Radda personally handed over defectors from parties including the PRP, NNPP, PDP and APGA to the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, pledging that Katsina would deliver massive votes for President Tinubu in 2027.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Yilwatda commended Governor Radda for what he described as visible achievements in road infrastructure, water supply, education and healthcare, noting that these had attracted new members to the party. He assured the defectors of equal rights and opportunities within the APC.
Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, described the endorsement as a historic milestone and said Katsina’s strong support for President Tinubu would translate into increased federal presence and development projects in the state.
Former Governor Aminu Bello Masari also praised Governor Radda’s leadership, saying it aligned with Katsina’s political values and aspirations. He affirmed that the APC in the state was united and resolute in presenting President Tinubu and Governor Radda as its only candidates in 2027.
Chairman of the Katsina State APC Stakeholders’ Forum, Senator Ibrahim Ida, said the endorsement followed wide consultations across political divides, while former Governor Ibrahim Shema pledged loyalty and support, describing the emergence of both leaders as divinely ordained.
Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura, said all 34 lawmakers backed the endorsement, citing the governor’s development projects across communities. Lawmakers at the National Assembly and other party leaders also expressed unanimous support.
The meeting recorded wide participation, with representatives from all polling units, wards and local governments in the state, underscoring what party leaders described as APC’s strength and readiness ahead of the 2027 elections.
