Political activities are gradually gathering momentum across Katsina ahead of the 2027 general elections with political parties, support groups and other stakeholders intensifying consultations, mobilisation and grassroots engagement across the state.
Although campaign activities are becoming more visible, the political landscape has witness a full scale poster and billboard competition across the state with much of the activity currently centres on political meetings, establishment of support group offices, stakeholder consultations and direct engagement with communities.
The All Progressives Congress APC which controls the state government, has been particularly active in strengthening its grassroots structure with Governor Dikko Umar Radda repeatedly emphasising the importance of sustained mobilisation and engagement with communities ahead of the elections.
The Governor has also pledged to embark on a door to door campaign across Katsina in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other APC candidates, reflecting an approach that places considerable emphasis on direct voter contact alongside conventional campaign publicity.
This strategy was recently reinforced with the inauguration of the Katsina structure of the PBAT Door to Door Movement which deployed campaign vehicles to coordinators across the 34 local government areas as part of its mobilisation activities for President Tinubu.
Political support groups are also becoming increasingly visible in the state capital. On Friday, October 2, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Political and Special Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabir Masari inaugurated the offices of the Wazirin Tinubu Ambassador Movement and the 360 Plus 1 Support Tinubu/Dikko 2027 organisation in Katsina metropolis.
The Wazirin Tinubu Ambassador Movement led by Alhaji Aliyu Mansir, established its office along Sabon Titin Kwaddo, where it is expected to focus on public awareness and dissemination of information on the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration.
The 360 Plus 1 Support Tinubu/Dikko 2027 group led by Hon. Salisu Hamza Rimaye, also inaugurated its office at Sardauna Estate. Rimaye said the organisation was formed by 13 lawmakers who did not secure tickets to contest the APC primary election but subsequently resolved to remain in the party and support its political activities.
According to him, the group has established offices and a conference hall and provided 13 vehicles to facilitate its awareness and mobilisation activities, illustrating the growing importance of organised support structures in the emerging campaign landscape.
The political engagement has also extended to former members of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP who recently defected to the APC from the 34 local government areas of Katsina. Their representatives led by Hon. Tumburkai, met with Masari and other political stakeholders to discuss their integration into the APC and grassroots mobilisation.
While posters and billboards are beginning to appear in some parts of Katsina, the level of competition is not yet uniform enough to suggest a widespread poster war among candidates. The relatively measured display may partly reflect the stage of the electoral cycle, with political actors concentrating first on structures, consultations and mobilisation before intensifying mass publicity.
The emergence of campaign vehicles is another visible feature of the unfolding political contest. Vehicles deployed to local government coordinators provide both a mobilisation mechanism and a mobile means of political visibility, allowing support organisations to take their activities beyond Katsina metropolis into communities and wards.
The current emphasis appears to be on building the networks that will eventually drive the larger campaign. Offices are being established, coordinators appointed, stakeholder meetings held and supporters mobilised at local government and ward levels, creating the organisational foundation for the 2027 contest.
With the elections still ahead, Katsina’s political campaign is therefore developing through a combination of traditional publicity and grassroots engagement. While posters and billboards are gradually becoming part of the landscape, the more prominent activity at present is the competition to establish political structures, expand support networks and maintain direct contact with voters across the state.
