Alhaji Lawal Daura, former Director-General of the State Security Service, SSS, has declared his intention to contest the Katsina State governorship election in 2027. He was the first to make such declaration in Katsina State.
Daura cited insecurity and poor performance by the current administration.
He made the declaration during an interview with DCL Hausa on Tuesday, saying consultations on his political ambition had been concluded and that he would soon announce the political party on which he would run.
“I have been making consultations on the platform to use to contest, and the consultations have been concluded. Very soon, I will make the platform known,” he said.
The former intelligence chief said his decision to join the race was largely influenced by dissatisfaction with the performance of the incumbent administration in the state.
“Why do people serve for one or two terms? If they get it right, fine. But if the reverse is the case, then there is no point in seeking re-election. It is obvious the current governor is not capable,” he said.
Using an analogy, Mr Daura added that leadership must be reassessed when it fails to deliver.
“It is like putting a load on somebody and adjusting it. If he complains that the load is too heavy, you have to take it down to avoid destroying fragile items. For the current administration, we can say thank you for your efforts, but you should take a break because you can’t continue,” he said.
Mr Daura said his ambition was further driven by the deteriorating security situation in Katsina State and other parts of the country, noting that he had never envisaged contesting for elective office.
“I never saw myself coming out to contest. I admire politics, but I only participated from the background,” he said.
He explained that his career in the security services exposed him to political processes without nurturing a personal ambition for public office.
“I have admired politics since the time of late Shehu Shagari. The nature of our job at the SSS brought me into close contact with politicians, but I never envisaged seeking political office,” he said.
According to him, he had always preferred to operate behind the scenes rather than occupy positions that attract public scrutiny.
“As a security personnel tasked with protecting lives and property, I prefer to prevent danger rather than be in the spotlight where you are constantly criticised on how to pilot affairs,” he said.
But Daura acknowledged that politics remains a vital platform for public service and development.
“It is the only platform that allows people to help citizens in different areas so they can enjoy life and development,” he said.
He attributed his eventual decision to seek office to fate and appeals from prominent indigenes of Katsina State who, he said, were deeply concerned about the state’s security challenges.
“Man can only propose and God disposes. The security challenge is not peculiar to Katsina, but it has lingered for too long,” he said.
According to him, concerned stakeholders in the state reviewed the situation and urged him to contest.
“Some prominent indigenes of Katsina, who are perturbed by the current situation, deliberated and felt that, as one of their sons, I should throw my hat into the ring to help salvage the situation,” he said.
Citing religious teachings, Mr Daura said he accepted the call to serve.
“When you are asked to serve, you should accept unless it is beyond you. In this situation, I don’t see anyone who can do it better, and that is why I accepted the clarion call,” he added
