The political equation in Katsina State witnessed a significant shake-up on Sunday as former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Musa Daura, formally left the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), while former Secretary to the Katsina State Government, Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa, also exited the ADC for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The twin defections have sparked fresh discussions about the future of the ADC in Katsina as political actors begin strategic realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Daura, a former governorship aspirant under the ADC, announced his defection during a gathering of supporters at the Munaj Event Centre in Katsina, declaring that his political ambition remains active despite months of silence from the public scene.

Addressing party supporters and political associates, the former intelligence chief said his quiet disposition in recent months had been devoted to consultations and careful planning rather than political retreat.

“I have been silent for some months, but that silence was not because I was afraid. I was making plans and consulting on the direction of my political ambition,” he said.

Daura explained that his decision to venture into partisan politics was motivated by concerns over the country's security challenges, leadership deficits and economic difficulties facing ordinary Nigerians.

According to him, his political involvement is driven by a desire to contribute to national development and help address pressing challenges confronting the country.

“I joined politics not to achieve personal ambition, but because of my concern for Nigeria and its people. I believe we must struggle to rescue our country from insecurity, bad leadership and economic crisis,” he stated.

The former DSS boss described the APM as a viable political platform with the capacity to compete effectively in future elections, urging his supporters and Nigerians seeking political change to rally behind the party.

He expressed confidence that the party would emerge as a strong force in the 2027 elections and promised to unveil the next phase of his political activities in the coming months.

APM Welcomes New Political Heavyweight

Speaking at the event, Director-General of the Daura Campaign Organisation, Ali Sani, said the large turnout of supporters reflected Daura's growing political influence in Katsina State and across the northern region.

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He argued that Daura's entry into the APM would strengthen the party's structure and improve its chances in future electoral contests.

Also speaking, Katsina State Chairman of the APM, Nura Abdullahi, welcomed the former DSS chief and his supporters into the party, assuring them of equal opportunities and participation within its ranks.

Abdullahi said the party had established structures across all the 361 wards and 6,562 polling units in the state, providing a solid foundation for political mobilisation ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Several supporters who addressed the gathering pledged their loyalty to Daura and expressed readiness to work towards the success of his political aspirations under the APM platform.

Inuwa's Exit Deals Another Blow to ADC

In a related development, former Secretary to the Katsina State Government, Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa, also parted ways with the ADC on the same day, returning to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Inuwa, a prominent political figure in Katsina and a former ally of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, had been considered one of the notable figures within the ADC in the state.

His departure, coming alongside Daura's exit, is expected to further weaken the ADC's political momentum in Katsina and potentially alter existing alignments ahead of the 2027 governorship race.

Political observers say the loss of two influential figures within a single day represents a major setback for the opposition party, which had been seeking to expand its influence in the state.

The developments underscore the growing wave of political calculations and defections taking shape across the country as politicians reposition themselves ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely contested 2027 election season.

With Daura now in the APM and Inuwa back in the APC, attention is likely to shift to how both politicians deploy their support bases and whether the ADC can withstand the loss of key stakeholders in Katsina, one of the country's most politically strategic states.