ANALYSIS: Inuwa returns to APC, Daura joins APM as Katsina ADC coalition unravels

A nascent opposition coalition in Nigeria's Katsina State has fractured, with two prominent politicians, Mustapha Inuwa and Lawal Daura, returning to their former political affiliations. The alliance, which had coalesced around the African Democratic Congress (ADC), aimed to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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despite insecurity, economic hardship and internal disagreements within the APC, returning to the ruling party offers the most practical political route for his supporters.

Mustapha Inuwa, a former Secretary to the Katsina State Government and the first APC chairman in the state, announced his return to the ruling APC along with his supporters. Inuwa stated that despite ongoing insecurity, economic hardship, and internal disagreements within the APC, rejoining the party offers the most practical political path forward for his followers. He recalled his group's initial considerations of the Social Democratic Party before settling on the ADC, citing expectations of a fairer political process.

In contrast, Lawal Daura, a former Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), has joined the smaller Allied Peoples Movement (APM). Daura portrayed the APC as politically compromised and believes the APM offers a more suitable platform for his political aspirations. Both Inuwa and Daura shared the same grievance regarding the ADC's alleged failures in ensuring a credible, fair, and internally democratic candidate-selection process, which ultimately led to their departure from the coalition.

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the APC provides a healthier platform for pursuing his political objectives.

The coalition had brought together several prominent politicians opposed to the administration of Governor Dikko Radda and the APC. This included former senators and political actors with established networks across Katsina's 34 local government areas. The group was seen earlier this year as a potentially significant opposition force. However, the differing conclusions reached by Inuwa and Daura highlight the challenges in forging a unified opposition front against the dominant APC in the state.

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members opened offices, mobilised supporters and financed political activities themselves in the expectation that the ADC would provide a fairer political process.