Governor Dikko Umaru Radda on Monday led and witnessed a series of senatorial affirmation exercises and primary elections conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) across Katsina State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The events, held in Katsina, Funtua and Daura senatorial zones, resulted in the emergence of Senator Muntari Muhammad Dandutse and Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua as consensus candidates for second-term bids, while Speaker Nasir Yahaya Daura secured victory in the Daura APC senatorial primary election.
At the Isma’ila Isa Funtua Township Stadium, Senator Dandutse was affirmed as the APC consensus candidate for Katsina South Senatorial District following what party officials described as a unanimous agreement reached in line with the Electoral Act and APC guidelines.
The Chairman of the APC National Headquarters Consensus Affirmation Committee, Hon. Garba Saleh Gombe, who presided over the exercise, said the affirmation was endorsed through a voice vote by delegates and party supporters.
He praised the conduct of the process in Katsina State, describing it as peaceful, organized and a model for internal party democracy.
“Katsina State has set a national benchmark in the implementation of the consensus arrangement,” he said, adding that the state distinguished itself through unity, discipline and effective leadership.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir, said the consensus arrangement had strengthened unity and political stability within the party.
The event was attended by Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal Jobe, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy Hannatu Musa Musawa, Secretary to the State Government Abdullahi Garba Faskari, and Special Adviser on Intergovernmental and Development Partners Hadiza Maikudi.
Also present were members of the House of Representatives earlier affirmed for second-term bids, including Abdullahi Aliyu, Muhammad Aminu Ibrahim, Hamza Suleiman and Yau Ahmed.
Similarly, at the Katsina Township Stadium, Governor Radda led the consensus affirmation of Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua as the APC candidate for Katsina Senatorial Zone.
Chairman of the APC Electoral Committee from the party’s national headquarters, Dr. Yakubu Maccido Ahmed, said the affirmation reflected the collective will of stakeholders and party members across the zone.
“This demonstrates the APC’s commitment to unity, internal cohesion and strategic alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he stated.
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the Katsina Zone exercise, Alhaji Yusuf Barmo, explained that the consensus option followed extensive consultations among party stakeholders and aspirants.
According to him, all other aspirants voluntarily stepped down in support of Senator Yar’Adua in what he described as a demonstration of political maturity and commitment to party unity.
The governor was accompanied at the event by Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal Jobe and Chief of Staff Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir, alongside members of the National and State Assemblies, Katsina Local Government Chairman Isah Miqdad and other party leaders.
Meanwhile, in Daura Senatorial District, Speaker Nasir Yahaya Daura emerged winner of the APC senatorial primary election conducted across the zone.
According to party officials, 81,134 delegates were accredited for the exercise, while 80,661 votes were cast across 128 electoral wards in the district.
At the end of the exercise, Nasir Yahaya Daura polled 78,395 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ahmed Kabir Abdullahi, who secured 2,274 votes.
The results were announced at the collation centre in Daura by Dr. Yakubu Machido, Chairman of the APC Primary Elections Committee from the party’s national headquarters.
Returning Officer Alhaji Shafiu Duwan commended the peaceful conduct of the election, describing the process as transparent, credible and orderly.
Among dignitaries present at the Daura exercise were Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal Jobe, SSG Abdullahi Garba Faskari, APC State Chairman Bashir Gambo Saulawa, former Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika, members of the State Executive Council and the State House of Assembly.
Others included Salisu Yusuf Majigiri, APC consensus candidate for Daura/Sandamu/Mai’Adua Federal Constituency Yusuf Muhammadu Buhari, and Baure/Zango Federal Constituency aspirant Daga Umar Faruk.
The events formed part of the APC’s ongoing preparations for the 2027 elections in Katsina State.
The statements were issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed.
