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At least five political appointees serving under Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, have resigned within days, triggering fresh political calculations in the state as the 2027 general elections draw closer.
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The departures have fuelled speculation about growing realignment within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with party sources alleging that some of the former appointees are moving closer to the camp of Ibrahim Kabir Masari, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Political Affairs.
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Although none of the officials has publicly cited political disagreement with Governor Radda as the reason for resigning, the timing and concentration of the departures have raised questions about the strength of the governor’s political structure ahead of 2027.
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Political analysts remain divided over the significance of the development, with some seeing it as evidence of an emerging struggle between political camps, while others say the alleged APC rift remains unproven and the resignations could simply reflect individual political ambitions.
October 7, (THEWILL) – Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has lost at least five political appointees within days, in a development that has triggered fresh speculation about political realignment and an emerging battle for influence within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The latest resignation came from the Deputy Commander of the Katsina State Hisbah Board in charge of Operations, Muhammad Shitu Maslaha, who tendered his resignation in a letter dated October 6, 2026.
His resignation came barely a day after the Commander-General of the Hisbah Board, Dr Aminu Usman, popularly known as Abu Ammar, left office on Monday, October 5.
Also out of the administration is the Chairman of the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Kabir Bature Sarkin Alhazai, who resigned after serving in the position since his appointment by Governor Radda in 2023.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Katsina State Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Fadila Sani Dalhatu, also resigned in a letter dated October 5.
Another appointee who has quit is Alhaji Abubakar Soja Tsanni, who served as Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Development.
The number of resignations within such a short period has attracted attention in political circles, particularly because it comes amid increasing political activities and reported realignments within the Katsina APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Sources within the Katsina Government House were quoted as saying that more political appointees could resign in the coming days, although there is no official confirmation of further imminent departures.
The reasons for the latest resignations remain unclear as bone of the affected officials has publicly linked his or her resignation to a disagreement with Governor Radda or his administration. The state government has also not suggested that the departures are connected or that they are evidence of an internal political crisis.
Masari Camp Connection
Despite the absence of official confirmation, political speculation surrounding the resignations has centred on alleged differences among influential political actors within the Katsina APC.
A source within the state APC alleged that some of the former appointees had moved closer to the political camp of Ibrahim Kabir Masari, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Political Affairs.
The source said some party members were interpreting the resignations as part of a broader political realignment involving the Abuja and Katsina APC camps.
“We are aware that some of those who have left the Dikko administration recently have moved to pitch their tents with Ibrahim Masari. We have heard that they left to align with the Abuja-Katsina APC camp,” the source said.
There have also been claims that Governor Radda had encouraged political appointees who felt they were not enjoying the desired privileges or believed they could no longer make meaningful contributions to the administration to resign and allow others willing to work for the development of the state to take over.
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2027 Political Calculations
The resignations have occurred at a time when political activities are gathering momentum across Katsina ahead of the 2027 elections.
Earlier this year, two other officials associated with the Radda administration resigned to pursue political ambitions.
Hamza Suleiman Faskari, then Commissioner for Environment, resigned on March 30 specifically to pursue an elective position in the 2027 elections.
Similarly, Shehu Abdu Daura, a Special Assistant to Governor Radda on Drugs, Narcotics and Human Trafficking, resigned in March to participate in the APC primaries for the Katsina North (Daura) Senatorial District.
Unlike those earlier departures, the latest wave of resignations has generated wider political concern because of the number of officials leaving within a few days and the alleged movement of some of them towards another political camp.
Ahmed Baba Kado of the Good Governance Initiative said the development could indicate an underlying disagreement within the Katsina APC.
According to him, although the political actors allegedly involved have not publicly acknowledged any dispute, recent developments suggest that some influential figures may be operating in different directions.
“They have tried to make it appear that all is well in the party despite clear indications that the actors allegedly involved in the disagreement are operating in different directions”, Kado said.
He said the reported alignment of some former Radda appointees with the Masari camp had further strengthened the perception that there were divisions within the ruling party.
Kado warned that prolonged internal disagreements could become a major challenge for the APC ahead of the 2027 elections if the party fails to resolve them.
Alleged Rift Remains Unproven
However, a lecturer at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina, Dr Bala Abdullahi, cautioned against interpreting the resignations as proof of an APC crisis.
He described the resignation of political appointees as a normal feature of politics, noting that officials could leave government because of dissatisfaction, personal considerations or the pursuit of fresh political opportunities.
Abdullahi also said the development could reflect the weakness of political ideology among some politicians, while acknowledging that the timing of the resignations could have political implications for the APC.
On the alleged disagreement between political camps in the state, he said the claim remained speculative because none of the individuals allegedly involved had publicly acknowledged a dispute.
“The significance of the resignations may depend on what the former appointees do after leaving office, particularly whether they remain within the governor’s political camp or align with other emerging political groups”, he stated.
He added that, based on what was publicly available, the alleged rift remained unconfirmed, noting that the political actors continued to profess support for the APC and its victory.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
