Katsina guber: Ex-SMEDAN DG defeats Masari’s ‘anointed candidate’ to pick APC ticket

Dikko Umaru Radda, former director-general of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Katsina state.

Radda defeated eight contestants including Abbas Masanawa, former managing director of the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC).

Masanawa is widely believed to be the preferred candidate of Aminu Masari, Katsina governor, who is completing his final term in office.

The former NSPMC MD, who resigned to pursue his ambition, has denied that he was chosen by Masari.

Radda polled a total of 506 votes to defeat the other contestants.

Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa, former secretary to the Katsina state government, polled 442 votes to come second, while Masanawa secured 436 votes to place third.

An elated Radda tweeted on Friday, saying: “Stand up for the champion.”

STAND UP FOR THE CHAMPION 🏆🏆🏆

— Dikko Umaru Radda, Ph.D. CON. (@dikko_radda) May 27, 2022

NAN quoted the ex-SMEDAN DG as calling on the other aspirants to join forces to build the APC in the state.

“I wish to appeal to you all to support me in building the party and also ensure its success because I alone cannot succeed in that,” he said.