, Lawal Daura, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027){kind=link}
By Our Political Desk
In a move already sending ripples through Katsina’s political landscape, former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Katsina State.
Speaking during an interview with DCL Hausa on Tuesday, Daura said he had concluded wide-ranging consultations on his political ambition and would soon disclose the party platform on which he intends to run.
“I have been making consultations on the platform to use to contest, and the consultations have been concluded,” he said. “Very soon, I will make the platform known.”
The former intelligence chief, who hails from Katsina State, did not mince words in his assessment of the current administration, citing persistent insecurity and what he described as weak leadership as key reasons for his decision to enter the race.
According to Daura, governance is about capacity and results—not entitlement to tenure.
“Why do people serve for one or two terms? If they get it right, fine. But if the reverse is the case, then there is no point in seeking re-election,” he said, bluntly adding that “it is obvious the current governor is not capable.”
Using a vivid analogy, the former DSS boss likened the current administration to a fragile load poorly balanced.
“It is like putting a load on somebody and adjusting it. If he complains that the load is too heavy, you have to take it down to avoid destroying fragile items,” Daura explained. “For the current administration, we can say thank you for your efforts, but you should take a break because you can’t continue.”
The remarks are being interpreted by analysts as one of the most direct elite-level criticisms ahead of the 2027 election cycle in the state.
Perhaps most striking was Daura’s admission that he never initially envisioned himself seeking elective office.
“I never saw myself coming out to contest. I admire politics, but I only participated from the background,” he said.
That background—spanning years at the heart of Nigeria’s security architecture—now forms the backbone of his pitch to voters, especially in a state grappling with banditry, kidnappings, and rural insecurity.
With Lawal Daura’s entry, the Katsina governorship contest is shaping up to be more than a routine succession battle. It is fast becoming a referendum on security, competence, and leadership capacity.
As political watchers await the unveiling of his party platform, one thing is clear: Katsina 2027 just got a heavyweight contender—and the race has officially begun.
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