Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, on Thursday, disclosed that stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state have agreed to adopt a consensus arrangement for the emergence of all candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, declared that he would only participate in a direct primary election in Delta State.
The two APC chieftains spoke in Abuja after submitting their Expression of Interest and Nomination forms at the party secretariat.
Governor Radda, who is seeking a second term in office, said the decision to adopt consensus candidacy in Katsina was reached after extensive consultations with party stakeholders across the state.
According to him, the arrangement was aimed at sustaining the unity, strength and cohesion of the party.
“You know, we met with all the stakeholders in the state, and then we all agreed that we are going to adopt consensus so that we continue with the party’s strength and cohesion and also maintain peace in our party,” he said.
The governor described Katsina as a stronghold of the APC in the North-West, noting that the party controls political offices across the state.
“Katsina is an APC state completely. We have 361 ward councillors, 34 local governments, 34 members of the State Assembly, 15 members of the National Assembly, as well as three senators, all belonging to the APC.
“So, I think Katsina is one of the most comfortable APC states in the North-West of the country,” Radda stated.
He also attributed the support he enjoys from the people of the state to his administration’s efforts in tackling insecurity.
On his part, Senator Omo-Agege, who represented Delta Central Senatorial District in the Eighth and Ninth Senate, said he decided to return to the race following pressure from his constituents.
The former Deputy Senate President said his people believe he still has a major role to play both in the National Assembly and in supporting the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
“I am here today because I have hearkened to the call of my constituents. They reviewed my accomplishments in both the Eighth and Ninth Senate and came to the realisation that since I left the Senate, their voice is no longer being heard strongly in the National Assembly,” he said.
According to him, effective representation requires courage and influence to secure democratic dividends for constituents.
“The Nigerian project is such that nothing is given to you freely. You only get what you fight for. That is why every state has three senators. Your ability to fight for your people determines what you can bring home to them,” he added.
Speaking on the mode of primary election he prefers, Omo-Agege said: “I will submit myself to direct primaries.”
