From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Katsina State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reportedly begun moves to persuade a prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mustapha Inuwa, to defect to the ruling party.
Mustapha Inuwa, a former governorship aspirant and a strong pillar of the ADC in Katsina State, lost the party’s governorship ticket following a consensus arrangement by party stakeholders.
The development reportedly triggered internal crisis within the ADC, as a faction led by Inuwa rejected the outcome and called for its cancellation.
The aggrieved faction also issued a two-week ultimatum to party leadership, demanding the conduct of a fresh indirect primary election to resolve the dispute.
Meanwhile, sources disclosed that a high-level APC delegation recently met with Inuwa at his residence in a closed-door engagement aimed at convincing him to join the party.
The delegation was reportedly led by the Chief Executive of the African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD), Jabiru Tsauri, and the meeting was said to be facilitated by the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ibrahim Masari.
According to a source familiar with the meeting, the APC team assured Inuwa of full recognition and political accommodation should he agree to join the party.
However, another source clarified that Inuwa remains a member of the ADC and has yet to make a decision, stating that he would consult his supporters before responding to the APC’s invitation.
The political development is seen as part of ongoing realignments ahead of future elections in Katsina State, as both parties continue internal consultations over emerging disputes.