Daura Frames 2027 Katsina Governorship Bid as Security Rescue Mission

Lawal Daura, former Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), has cast his emerging 2027 governorship ambition in Katsina State as a response to deepening insecurity, insisting that his foray into politics is driven by the need to save lives rather than personal gain.

Daura made the remarks on Thursday at a reunion of the Government College Funtua Old Boys Association (FOBA), Class of 1969, where members of the association reaffirmed their support for his potential gubernatorial run.

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Addressing the gathering, the former intelligence chief said years of worsening violence have crippled livelihoods and eroded everyday freedoms across the state.

Describing himself as a “politics mechanic,” Daura said he intends to “fix” Katsina’s security architecture, which he identified as the foundation upon which other sectors depend. According to him, insecurity has not only threatened lives but also undermined economic activity, particularly agriculture, the backbone of Katsina and neighbouring states.

“People talk about security every time because it is the key that opens all other doors,” he said. “If you don’t have that key, you cannot access solutions to other problems.”

Daura argued that his background in national security gives him a practical understanding of how insecurity manifests at the community level, from homes to highways. He lamented that abuses and violent incidents, once dismissed as rumours, have become daily realities for residents.

He also dismissed suggestions that his political interest is financially motivated, noting that he had already occupied positions of significant national and international stature. “If it were about money or titles, there would be no need for this,” he said, adding that his decision was borne out of a sense of responsibility to protect citizens and restore normalcy.

Highlighting the economic toll of insecurity, Daura pointed to markets that once thrived at night but are now inactive even during the day, as well as farmlands abandoned due to fear of attacks. He said these trends have deepened poverty and stalled development across rural communities.

In his response, Aliyu Yahaya, FOBA Chairman,  described Daura as uniquely positioned to confront Katsina’s security challenges, citing his decades of experience in intelligence and national security management. He expressed confidence that, if elected, Daura could make measurable progress within a short time.

Yahaya also pledged the association’s political backing, stating that members would mobilise substantial grassroots support for Daura should he secure the gubernatorial ticket of any political party.

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As political conversations ahead of 2027 begin to gather momentum, Daura’s remarks signal a campaign narrative centred on security as both a moral imperative and a prerequisite for economic recovery in Katsina State.