A fresh crisis appears to be brewing within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Katsina State amid reported differences between Governor Dikko Radda and the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari.

The development followed the invitation and questioning of Governor Radda’s Aide-de-Camp, SP Abdulganiyu Bello, and Chief Security Officer, DSP Hassan Bello, by the police at the Force Headquarters in Abuja over the alleged destruction of campaign billboards bearing the images of President Tinubu and Masari in Katsina.

The two security officials were reportedly invited to Abuja last week in connection with the billboards erected along the Modoji Junction–Katsina Government House Road.

However, the Nigeria Police Force dismissed reports that the officials had been arrested or detained.

The Force spokesman, Anietie Iniedu, told newsmen that the two men were only invited for an interview, although he did not disclose the subject of the questioning.

“They were invited for an interview. They were not arrested or detained,” Iniedu said.

Despite the clarification, conflicting accounts persisted over the whereabouts of the two officials, with sources claiming they had not been seen in Katsina since their appearance before the police.

The incident has further fuelled speculation about an emerging power struggle within the Katsina APC, particularly between politicians operating from the state and influential Katsina politicians occupying positions at the federal level.

The two camps are informally described as the “Katsina APC” and “Katsina/Abuja APC.” The former is largely associated with party members based in the state and perceived to be loyal to Governor Radda, while the latter comprises Katsina politicians with significant influence in Abuja.

The latest development also comes against the backdrop of the exclusion of Governor Radda and some of his close associates from the recently released list of members of President Tinubu’s 2027 Presidential Campaign Council.

Masari, who is regarded as a close ally of President Tinubu, has remained influential in the political affairs of Katsina. He also served as Tinubu’s placeholder running mate in the buildup to the 2023 presidential election while the president worked to resolve the issue of his substantive running mate.

Sources further claimed that Aminu Sanda, popularly known as Aminu Nasta and described as the leader of a political group in Katsina, was arrested in connection with the billboard incident.

It was also learnt that the Katsina State Government House Chief of Staff, Abdulkadir Nasir, travelled to Abuja in an effort to secure the release of the two security officials.

The reported disagreement has drawn renewed attention to Governor Radda’s previous allegations that some political forces operating from Abuja were working to undermine his administration.

The political tension was also linked by some observers to the recent removal of former Minister of Housing, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, from the Federal Executive Council.

Dangiwa, who previously served as Secretary to the Katsina State Government under Radda, was replaced at the federal level by Mutaqa Rabe Darma, who is reportedly aligned with Masari’s political camp.

Political analyst, Dr Bashir Ibrahim Kurfi, said the developments pointed to an internal crisis within the Katsina APC and warned that a prolonged feud could damage the party’s chances in the 2027 elections.

“The failure to include the Katsina State Governor and his close associates in President Bola Tinubu’s campaign committee clearly indicates that there is a strained relationship between the Governor and Abuja, as widely alleged,” Kurfi said.

He added that although the APC had attempted to conceal the disagreement, its continuation could affect the party’s electoral prospects.

Similarly, an APC chieftain in Katsina, Musa Nuhu Gafiya, appealed to Governor Radda and influential party members in Abuja to reconcile their differences.

He warned that the alleged crisis was being amplified by opposition politicians on social media and urged all factions to prioritise the success of the APC ahead of 2027.

However, the Special Adviser to Governor Radda on Political Matters, Alhaji Ya’u Umar Gwajo-Gwajo, dismissed reports of an internal crisis.

Speaking to JBC Hausa, Gwajo-Gwajo described the situation as normal political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections.

He maintained that Radda remained the state coordinator of President Tinubu’s 2027 campaign and had maintained a cordial relationship with the presidency.

“Governor Radda has never shown any sign of having issues with the presidency. What is happening now is just politics because the campaign has begun. As far as we are concerned, there is no form of crisis,” he said.

On the reported questioning of the Katsina officials, Gwajo-Gwajo said the state government was not aware of any detention.