The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Katsina State has reportedly deepened, with influential party stakeholders, including former minister Muttaqa Rabe Darma, presidential aide Ibrahim Kabir Masari and about 25 federal government appointees from the state, distancing themselves from activities organised by Governor Dikko Umar Radda.

The growing division within the ruling party has raised questions about its internal cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly following the recent inauguration of the Tinubu/Radda 2027 Campaign Council in Katsina.

According to a report by Rank News, the dispute began earlier this year following the removal of former Minister of Housing, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, and the subsequent appointment of Darma as his replacement.

Masari, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Political Matters, was reportedly blamed by some party stakeholders for openly supporting Darma’s appointment, a development said to have further strained relations between the opposing camps within the Katsina APC.

Sources familiar with the situation told Rank News that Masari, Darma and about 25 federal government appointees from Katsina State had stopped attending state government-organised activities for approximately five months.

Those reportedly absent include Governor Radda’s former Chief of Staff, Jabiru Abdullahi Tsauri, who was appointed National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the African Union Development Agency–New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD).

The reported withdrawal of these political figures has fuelled speculation that the disagreement has evolved into a wider struggle for influence within the party.

Seven Radda Appointees Reportedly Resign

The division reportedly became more pronounced in the last two weeks, when seven political appointees serving in the Radda administration resigned from their positions while maintaining their allegiance to Masari’s political camp.

Those said to have resigned include two special advisers, the chairman of the State Pilgrims Welfare Board, the general manager of the Erosion Control agency, the state commander of the Hisbah Board and his deputy.

The report also linked the growing political tension to some members of the Katsina State House of Assembly who lost in the recent APC primaries.

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The reported resignations suggest that the disagreement may be extending beyond the state’s political leadership to other party structures and government institutions.

However, the circumstances surrounding the individual resignations and the officials’ reasons for leaving their positions were not independently established in the report.

Shettima’s Visit Raises Questions

The absence of Masari, Darma and their associates during Vice President Kashim Shettima’s official visit to Katsina State last week reportedly added to concerns about the extent of the division within the APC.

Their absence was particularly notable given their positions within the federal government and their political influence in the state.

The situation became more conspicuous over the weekend when the Tinubu/Radda 2027 Campaign Council was inaugurated in Katsina without the reported participation of several prominent figures associated with Masari’s camp.

An APC stalwart who spoke anonymously to Blueprint.ng in Katsina shortly after the inauguration said Darma, Masari, Tsauri and Hadiza Bala Usman, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, reportedly declined invitations to participate in the campaign council.

The source also alleged that the individuals had been included in the campaign council’s arrangements but chose not to participate.

Their reported absence has further fuelled questions about whether the Katsina APC leadership can resolve its internal differences before the 2027 elections.

Neither the reported refusals nor the reasons for the alleged boycott were independently confirmed in the account.

The development comes at a politically sensitive time for the APC as party leaders prepare for the next general elections, with the reported divisions raising concerns about coordination between the state government, federal appointees and influential party stakeholders.

As of the time of this report, no official explanation from Governor Radda, Masari or Darma regarding the reported disagreement was included in the available account.