Emir Of Katsina Tackles APC Leaders Over Hardship: Cost Of Living Killing Ordinary Nigerians

The Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Dr. Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, has challenged the Director-General of President Bola Tinubu’s campaign, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda and other political leaders to prioritise insecurity and economic hardship over political ambitions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Emir made the remarks during a visit by a delegation of political leaders led by Senator Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State, according to a viral video circulating on social media.

The delegation, which included Governor Radda, former Governor Aminu Bello Masari, and other former governors and political stakeholders, also visited the Emir of Daura before leaving Katsina State.

In the video, the Emir expressed displeasure with politicians who, he said, seek the support and prayers of traditional rulers during election campaigns but abandon the people after securing political offices.

“Every four years you come to my palace with cap in hand, asking for prayers, asking for support. After election, you disappear to Abuja, to Lagos. You don’t come back until next election,” the Emir was quoted as saying.

He questioned whether politicians considered traditional palaces places of genuine engagement with the people or merely venues to visit when seeking electoral support.

The Emir’s remarks also touched on political divisions within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Katsina State as political actors position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.

He reportedly expressed concern that politicians were preoccupied with campaign appointments and political contests while residents continued to face security threats.

The monarch questioned the logic of pursuing political interests when communities in front line areas remained vulnerable to attacks by armed groups.

The Emir also reportedly criticised the gap between government promises and the economic realities facing ordinary Nigerians, raising concerns on the cost of living and the difficulties confronting households struggling to afford basic necessities.

According to him, a lot of schools had been closed because of banditry, while farmers in 12 local government areas faced difficulties accessing their farmlands.

The remarks also referenced reports of families paying millions of naira in ransom to secure the release of kidnapped relatives.

The monarch challenged political leaders to demonstrate tangible results in tackling banditry rather than concentrating on campaign activities.

In one of the most politically significant portions of the video, the Emir warned that distributing food and money during election campaigns would not guarantee electoral support.

He questioned why all Northern factories like Peugeot Company in Kaduna and Arewa textile were closed, calling on stakeholders and politicians to wake up and have a change of heart for the common good of the region.