The Katsina State Government has dismissed reports suggesting that Governor Dikko Umaru Radda criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing such interpretations as false and misleading.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the government said the remarks in question were directed at state and local government leaders, not the President.
According to the statement, Governor Radda had urged citizens to hold their leaders accountable through the ballot, stressing that performance should determine electoral support.
“Politics is an open game, not done in secrecy. Anyone who leads well should be voted again, while those who do not should be voted out,” the governor was quoted as saying.
The government said the statement reflected a fundamental democratic principle and should not be misconstrued as criticism of the President.
It reiterated that Governor Radda remains a strong supporter of President Tinubu, citing his role in mobilising political leaders across the country to endorse the President’s re-election bid.
The statement recalled a political gathering held in Katsina on February 2, 2026, where top figures of the All Progressives Congress, including the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, endorsed Tinubu.
It also noted that President Tinubu’s visit to Katsina, during which he spent the night and commissioned projects executed by the state government, underscored the mutual respect between both leaders.
The government further stated that as Chairman of the Northwest Governors’ Forum, Radda had worked to build consensus among governors in the region in support of the President’s policies.
Describing the relationship between Radda and Tinubu as longstanding, the statement said it is rooted in shared values and commitment to national development.
It added that Radda had supported Tinubu’s presidential ambition even before he secured the party’s ticket and continued to campaign for him across the country.
The government cautioned against the spread of misinformation on social media, urging the public to verify information before sharing.
It maintained that the governor’s message was focused on promoting accountability among state officials and had no bearing on the President, whom it described as delivering on his mandate.
The statement reaffirmed that Governor Radda remains firmly aligned with President Tinubu, noting that their relationship extends beyond political alliance to a shared commitment to Nigeria’s progress.
