Two ADC Governorship Aspirants Leave Party in Katsina

The African Democratic Congress in Katsina State is facing new challenges after two key governorship aspirants left the party. They both wanted the party's ticket for the 2026 governorship election.

The two politicians are Dr Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa, who was the Secretary to the Government of Katsina State, and Lawal Musa Daura, a former Director-General of the Department of State Services. They announced their departures on Sunday, August 9, 2026.

Inuwa joined the ruling All Progressives Congress with many of his supporters. Daura decided to join the Allied Peoples Movement.

Inuwa, a well-known politician in Katsina, was the first to leave ADC. He served as Commissioner for Education from 2003 to 2006 and was Secretary to the Government during the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua's time. He returned as SSG under former Governor Aminu Bello Masari, serving from 2015 to 2022.

In 2022, Inuwa left the SSG position to contest the APC governorship primary. He lost to the current Governor, Mallam Dikko Umar Radda. Radda got 506 votes while Inuwa received 442 in that primary.

After the primary, Inuwa, who was unhappy with the results, left the APC for the Peoples Democratic Party in October 2022. This move came after disagreements about how his political group was treated in the APC.

He became a significant figure in the PDP and was the Director-General of the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign in Katsina during the 2023 general elections. By 2025, he was a key player in the ADC's political scene in Katsina, building a strong base of supporters.

In 2026, Inuwa ran for governor again on the ADC platform, but he rejected the results of the party's primary that selected Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita as the candidate. He continued to oppose the decision until he formally left ADC on August 9, 2026, announcing his return to the APC.

While speaking to his supporters in Katsina, Inuwa said he made the decision to help advance their political goals and protect his supporters' interests. His departure and the support of thousands of followers has raised eyebrows in the state. Political figures see this as a boost for the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

Lawal Daura, another key ADC governorship aspirant, also resigned from the party on the same day. He made his announcement in Daura Local Government Area, where he joined the APM. Daura also contested the ADC’s 2026 governorship ticket but lost to Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita.

Following the primary, Daura became a vocal critic of the ADC's candidate selection process. He wanted the party to choose its candidate in a clear and fair way. His resignation ended weeks of speculation about his political future.

Insiders in the party say Daura might become the running mate to Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, who is reportedly the APM's presidential candidate.

At an event in Katsina, Daura explained that he had stayed silent during the ADC crisis to prepare for what he believes is a better political option. He asked his supporters to stay patient, promising them that more updates would come from their new political party.

"As I always say, I have ventured into politics because of my people, the Nigerians. I am in politics because I want Nigeria to be back on its feet and, by God’s grace, we will attain victory with the support of the Katsina people and the whole of Nigeria," he said.

Political analysts in Katsina think Inuwa’s return to the APC, especially with many supporters, could make the ruling party stronger ahead of the 2027 elections. Daura’s shift to the APM, though, presents a different challenge since the party has less presence and structure in Katsina compared to the APC, PDP, and other major parties.