Ex-DSS DG Lawal Daura declares Katsina governorship bid, vows to tackle insecurity

Lawal Daura, a former director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), has declared his intention to contest the Katsina governorship election in 2027.

Speaking in an interview on DCL Hausa, Daura said he would soon announce the political party of his choice to contest the election.

“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.

He said the current administration in Katsina has failed to address insecurity and other challenges affecting residents 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.

“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.

“I never saw myself coming out to contest. I admire politics, but I only participated from the background. I have been interested in 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.

“The security challenge is not peculiar to Katsina, but it has lingered for too long. 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.”

Daura said a call to service should be accepted unless it is beyond one’s capacity, adding that he accepted the call because he did not see anyone better suited for it.

He served as DSS DG from July 2, 2015, to August 7, 2018.

Daura was sacked on August 12, 2018, by Nigeria’s then-acting President Yemi Osinbajo following a security siege at the national assembly.