Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, on Friday, warned political actors against complacency as the 2027 general elections draw closer, saying it would be a mistake to expect an easy contest.
The governor gave the caution while receiving his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to contest for re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Government House, Katsina.
The forms were allegedly submitted by the party’s National Legal Adviser, Murtala Aliyu Kankia, under a consensus arrangement adopted by the party in the state.
Speaking to party stakeholders, Radda said that although the consensus process had shown unity, they needed to be careful and keep their foot on the pedal.
The governor said, “This is not the time to relax, anyone who believes that there will be no challenges in the coming elections is just deceiving himself.”
He cautioned that complacency could jeopardise the party’s prospects at the polls while stressing the need for political actors to stay alert and proactive.
The governor said the adoption of consensus candidacy was a sign of political maturity and unity among members of the party in the state.
But he noted that this unity has to be more than just internal agreements, and it has to be translated into a stronger engagement with the electorate.
Radda urged the candidates that came out of the consensus process to return to their constituencies, reconcile with aggrieved aspirants and rebuild trust at the grass root.
He said continuous engagement with the electorate was still the key to winning elections.
The governor also urged party faithful to be inclusive and responsive to the needs of the people.
“The elections will be won by reconnecting with constituents and addressing their concerns,” he said.
Radda also congratulated the members of the consensus committees for what he described as a smooth and credible process, saying their efforts had helped strengthen unity in the party.
Earlier, the APC National Legal Adviser, Murtala Aliyu Kankia, said that the distribution of nomination forms was done in accordance with an agreed framework that kept orderliness within the party.
“We have introduced and circulated the forms in a peaceful and friendly environment, unlike some states where the process becomes chaotic,” he said.
Kankia said reports had been received from Katsina and Funtua senatorial zones while that of the Daura zone was being awaited.
