Radda, Masari ‘Rift’ Splits Katsina APC

The rift between Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State and Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari, has escalated with the recent quizzing of the governor’s Aide-de-Camp, SP Abdulganiyu Bello, and the Chief Security Officer, DSP Hassan Bello. They were both grilled by the police at the Force headquarters in Abuja.

The development has created a fresh internal crisis in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Katsina State, which has intensified after Governor Radda and some of his close associates were excluded from the recently released list of members of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council.

The ADC and CSO to Gov Radda were invited to Abuja last week for questioning over alleged destruction of billboards that displayed the image of Masari alongside that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Katsina along the Modoji Junction–Katsina Government House Road.

In a chat with one of our correspondents, the spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force, Anietie Iniedu, dismissed reports that the duo were arrested or detained.

Iniedu, a Chief Superintendent of Police, explained that they were only invited for an interview, but was silent on the reason for which they were grilled.

“They were invited for an interview. They were not arrested or detained,” the senior police officer simply told Daily Trust.

There are conflicting reports on whether they have been released, as sources say they have yet to be seen in the state since their detention.

Residents say some of the billboards carried large images of President Tinubu and Masari, while the image of the governor was used sparingly.

Others say the billboards carry pictures of the President and other prominent politicians in the state but relegating that of the governor.

Masari is said to be very close to President Tinubu and is believed to be quite influential in the affairs of the APC as it concerns Katsina State.

Masari staood as a placeholder for Tinubu in 2023 while the latter tried to sort out the issue of picking a running mate for the election.

Our correspondent learnt that the Chief of Staff to the Katsina State Government House, Abdulkadir Nasir, was in Abuja in an effort to secure the release of the two officials.

It was further reported that a man identified as Aminu Sanda, popularly known as Aminu Nasta, who was described as a leader of a political group in Katsina, was arrested in connection with the incident.

The development has sparked debate within the state’s political circles, with opposition figures and some APC stakeholders questioning whether the development indicates an emerging rift between the Katsina State chapter of the party and influential members of the party from Katsina who are based in Abuja.

The crisis has led to two major divisions within the party with one group known as the “Katsina APC” and the other, “Katsina/Abuja APC,” in which the former refers largely to APC members based in the state and considered loyal to Governor Radda, while the latter represents Katsina politicians holding influential positions at the federal level.

There have been longstanding allegations that the two groups are not always on the same political page. Governor Radda has spoken publicly about the development, alleging that some forces are working from Abuja to undermine his administration, saying he would expose such individuals when the time is right.

The allegations gained renewed attention following the removal of former Minister of Housing, Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, who belongs to the governor’s camp, from the Federal Executive Council.

Under Governor Radda, Dangiwa served as the Secretary to the State Government, a position he occupied until his ministerial appointment. He was replaced as minister by Engr Mutaqa Rabe Darma, who is said to be loyal to Masari.

The development has been interpreted by some political observers as a possible indication of growing differences between the governor and some federal political actors from the state in Abuja.

A rift or political manoeuvring

Political analyst, Dr Bashir Ibrahim Kurfi, who spoke with our correspondent on the development, suggested that there was indeed an internal crisis within the Katsina APC, warning that a prolonged disagreement could affect the party’s performance in the 2027 general elections.

“The failure to include the Katsina State Governor and his close associates in President Bola Tinubu’s campaign committee clearly indicates that there is a strained relationship between the Governor and Abuja, as widely alleged. Even though the APC in Katsina has been trying to conceal the rift, it is obvious that if this continues, it will seriously affect the party’s success in 2027,” he added.

Similarly, an APC chieftain in Katsina, Musa Nuhu Gafiya, urged Governor Radda and influential APC members in Abuja to resolve differences between them.

“Those in Abuja and Governor Dikko Radda should reconcile if there is any disagreement between them, because the alleged APC crisis is being manipulated on social media by the opposition, which is further fanning the flames of the issue. Everyone’s desire is for the APC to succeed from the top to the bottom,” he said.

The Special Adviser on Political Matters to Governor Radda, Alhaji Ya’u Umar Gwajo-Gwajo, when contacted, dismissed the allegations of an internal crisis within the APC, describing the situation as normal political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking TO JBC Hausa, Gwajo-Gwajo said there was no unusual disagreement between Governor Radda and the presidency, stressing that the governor remains the state coordinator of President Tinubu’s 2027 campaign.

He said Governor Radda had maintained a cordial relationship with President Tinubu and had never demonstrated any indication of having problems with the presidency.

“Governor Radda has never shown any sign of having issues with the presidency. What is happening now is just politics because the campaign has begun. As far as we are concerned, there is no form of crisis. Regarding the issue of the detention of some people from Katsina, we are not aware of it,” he stated.

However, with the 2027 elections drawing closer, the competing narratives have placed the Katsina APC at a political crossroads, with stakeholders divided between those who believe the developments should be addressed immediately and those who wish to have a ride on it for their political gains.

However, when contacted, the Katsina APC Public Relations Officer (PRO) Shamsu Sule said he could not comment on the matter and promised to refer our reporter to the state party chairman. The PRO had yet to revert as at the time of filing this report.

I’m not aware of any rift – Gov’s aide

The Director General of Media to the Katsina State Governor, Maiwada Danmalam, has said he is not aware of any political rift between his principal, Governor Dikko Umar Radda, and the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Political Matters, Malam Kabir Ibrahim Masari.

Speaking to Daily Trust on the reported disagreement between the two political figures, Danmalam said he was hearing about the alleged rift from the reporter. However, he had seen a report on the issue published by a national online media organisation.

“I am not aware of any political rift between the governor and Malam Kabir Ibrahim Masari. In fact, I am hearing this from you for the first time,” he said.

The governor’s media aide added that a reporter from another online media organisation had also contacted him to seek clarification on the matter, but said he could not provide any details because he had no knowledge of the alleged disagreement.

He said while reports about the development had begun to circulate in the media, he had not been briefed about any disagreement between Governor Radda and Masari.

“I also saw a story published by one of the national online media organisations. Another reporter called me to clarify the issue, but honestly, I have no information about what is being reported,” Danmalam said.

He urged the media and members of the public to exercise caution when reporting issues that could generate political tension, stressing that sensitive matters involving prominent political figures should be handled responsibly.

“Sensitive issues such as this need to be handled with utmost care. We should be careful not to create unnecessary tension or give room to speculate where there are no confirmed facts,” he added.

His comments came amid reports of growing political differences between supporters of Governor Radda and those of Masari, following separate public appearances and exchanges that have generated speculation about a possible political realignment in the state.

The reported development has attracted attention among political observers in Katsina, particularly against the backdrop of preparations for the 2027 general elections and the emerging political permutations within the ruling APC.(Daily trust)