The Emir of Katsina, His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr. Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, CFR, has openly challenged political leaders to concentrate on addressing the prevailing insecurity and economic hardship in the country rather than dissipating energy on early campaigns for the 2027 general elections.

The highly respected traditional ruler made his position known on Sunday, 19th October 2026, when a delegation of the President Bola Tinubu 2027 Campaign Organisation visited his palace in Katsina on a political mobilisation tour.

The delegation was led by former Governor of Zamfara State and serving Senator, Abdulaziz Yari, who is the Director-General of the Tinubu 2027 Campaign, and had in attendance the Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, alongside other top leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The visit, which formed part of the campaign team’s early engagements ahead of the next election cycle, was intended to seek the royal blessings and support of the traditional institution in Katsina State for President Tinubu’s second term ambition.

However, the meeting took a different turn when the Emir used the opportunity to bare his mind on the state of the nation, a moment that was captured in a viral video now circulating widely on social media platforms.

In the video, the Emir expressed deep dissatisfaction with the attitude of politicians who only remember the traditional institution during election seasons and forget them immediately after winning elections.

He bluntly told the delegation, “Every four years you come to my palace with cap in hand, asking for prayers and support. After the election, you disappear to Abuja, to Lagos,” lamenting that such practice undermines the dignity of traditional rulers.

The Emir stated that the essence of politics, which is service to humanity and community development, appears to have been lost as most politicians now pursue personal gains at the expense of the people they claim to represent.

He took a swipe at the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying the policy has not reflected in the lives of ordinary Nigerians, particularly those in Katsina State who are grappling with severe economic challenges.

According to the monarch, what Nigerians are experiencing is not renewed hope but renewed hunger, as many households can no longer afford food, transportation and other basic necessities due to the high cost of living.

The Emir noted that the economic hardship has been further compounded by the security crisis that has bedeviled several parts of Katsina State, making it difficult for people to go about their lawful businesses.

He drew attention to the precarious security situation in frontline local government areas such as Batsari, Jibia and Safana, where bandits have continued to kill, kidnap and displace innocent residents with little resistance.

The first-class traditional ruler disclosed that the activities of these criminal elements have forced farmers in about 12 local government areas of the state to abandon their farmlands for fear of being attacked or kidnapped.

He explained that the inability of farmers to cultivate their lands is already having a negative impact on food production, food prices and the overall economy of the state and the North-West region.

The Emir further lamented that the insecurity has led to the closure of about 52 schools in the affected communities, a development that has put the education and future of thousands of children in jeopardy.

He argued that the continuous closure of schools and the displacement of communities portend grave danger for the future, as out-of-school children could easily become tools in the hands of criminal elements.

The revered monarch therefore urged political leaders and those in authority to redirect their attention from 2027 politics to urgently fixing the security architecture of the country.

He particularly called on the Federal Government to take decisive action against bandit leaders who have established camps in the forests across Katsina and neighbouring states and from where they launch deadly attacks.

The Emir advised the Tinubu campaign team to put their 2027 ambition on hold and use their closeness to the President to push for concrete actions that will restore peace and bring succour to suffering Nigerians.

He stressed that there is no point campaigning for votes when the electorate are hungry, displaced and living in fear, insisting that the primary responsibility of any government is to secure lives and property and ensure the welfare of its citizens.

According to him, unless the issues of insecurity, hunger and poverty are sincerely addressed, any talk about 2027 elections would amount to an exercise in futility because people must first be alive and stable to participate in democratic processes.

Observers who reacted to the viral video described the Emir’s outburst as a bold and timely intervention that captures the mood of many Nigerians, including traditional rulers who feel neglected and overwhelmed by the challenges facing their domains.

Political commentators also noted that the Emir’s frank remarks should serve as a wake-up call to the ruling All Progressives Congress and the Federal Government to reprioritise governance over premature politicking.

During the visit, Senator Abdulaziz Yari and other members of the delegation were said to have listened with rapt attention to the Emir’s concerns and assured him that his observations and advice would be promptly communicated to President Bola Tinubu.

Senator Yari was reported to have appreciated the Emir for his forthrightness, wisdom and fatherly guidance, acknowledging the critical role traditional rulers play in maintaining peace, unity and stability in the society.

On his part, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda was said to have reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to collaborate with security agencies, traditional institutions and other relevant stakeholders to tackle banditry and restore lasting peace in Katsina State.

After the meeting at the Emir of Katsina’s palace, the campaign delegation also moved to Daura, where they paid a similar courtesy call on the Emir of Daura before leaving the state, as part of their ongoing nationwide consultation and mobilisation drive ahead of the 2027 general elections.