The Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, has reportedly warned the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu's campaign team against relying on the distribution of rice, cash and other gifts to secure votes in the 2027 general elections.
The warning was attributed to the monarch following a visit to his palace in Katsina by a delegation led by Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Director-General of Tinubu's presidential campaign council, on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
According to reports circulating after the visit, the emir criticised politicians who seek public support during election periods but allegedly neglect the welfare of ordinary citizens after assuming office.
“They will collect your rice and vote against you. They will collect your N5,000 and still vote for who they want,” the monarch was quoted as saying.
The reported remarks suggested that campaign gifts would not necessarily translate into electoral support, particularly where voters believed elected officials had failed to address their concerns.
The emir was also quoted as recalling the 2023 elections, arguing that the distribution of food and money did not prevent voters in Katsina from supporting different political parties.
However, the precise wording of these particular statements has not been independently authenticated, and some accounts of the palace meeting have questioned the reliability of quotations circulating online.
In remarks separately reported by established news outlets, the traditional ruler urged political leaders to prioritise public welfare, fulfil campaign promises and avoid personal attacks against their opponents.
He told the visiting delegation that politics should be based on persuasion and public confidence rather than hostility, intimidation or the pursuit of personal interests.
The emir also expressed concern about insecurity, declining economic opportunities and the difficulties facing farmers in parts of northern Nigeria.
He questioned the effectiveness of political leadership when communities continued to experience hardship and insecurity, urging public officials to demonstrate commitment to the people they represent.
The monarch further warned politicians against making promises they knew they could not fulfil, stressing that leaders should be accountable for their actions.
The APC delegation's visit formed part of consultations with traditional rulers ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
During the meeting, Yari explained that the delegation had come to seek prayers, blessings and counsel, while Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda reaffirmed his support for the ruling party.
The encounter comes as political parties intensify preparations for the next general elections amid continuing public debate over economic hardship, insecurity and political accountability.
Although the reported warning about rice and cash has attracted attention, the emir's independently reported message centred on responsible leadership, credible promises and improving the welfare of Nigerians.
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