The Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Usman, says the federal government prioritises only President Bola Tinubu, his wife, son and bank account, describing its “Renewed Hope Agenda” as “renewed hunger.”
Mr Usman said this when Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, the director-general of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, visited his palace.
In a video of the visit seen by Peoples Gazette, the emir accused politicians of abandoning ordinary citizens after elections, warning that politics had become a pursuit of personal interests rather than public service.
“Every four years you come to my palace with a cap in hand, asking for prayers, asking for support. After the election, you disappear to Abuja, to Lagos. You don’t come back until the next election,” the emir said in Hausa.
“Is the palace voting centre or toilet that you visit only when pressed?” the Emir asked Mr Yari.
He recalled that Katsina State produced two former Nigerian presidents, the late Muhammadu Buhari and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
“In my days, politics was about community. Now politics is about one man, his son, his wife, and his bank account. You call it ‘renewed hope’, but people in Katsina are in renewed hunger,” he stated.
He also criticised APC members for engaging in political disputes ahead of the 2027 elections while insecurity continues to threaten communities.
“You are fighting each other in APC—Governor Dikko Radda vs former Governor Masari vs former Governor Aminu Bello Masari supporters vs Abuja boys. All fighting for 2027 tickets while bandits are in Batsari, in Jibia, and in Safana, killing people. Is that not selfishness? Your people are dying; you are fighting for a ticket,” Mr Usman said.
The emir claimed that banditry had forced about 52 schools to close and prevented farmers from accessing their farmlands in about 12 local government areas of the state.
“People pay N10 million or N20 million ransom to Turji and his boys. And you come to me talking about the DG campaign for Tinubu 2027? Should you not be talking about DG security for Katsina 2026? “
“Where is Bello Turji?” he asked Mr Tinubu’s entourage. “You promised to handle security. Turji is in a forest 100km from here. Go and bring him, then come and campaign.”
The emir warned that politicians who prioritised their families, associates and contracts over the public should not expect voters to remain loyal to them.
“They will collect your rice and vote against you. They will collect your N5,000 and still vote for who they want because you taught them selfishness.
“In 2023, you brought rice, you brought money, but Katsina people still split votes. In 2027, if you bring the same selfish politics, they will collect but not vote for you,” he added.
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