Kaita’s support for Magaji against me didn’t go between us – Barda

Former Governor of Katsina State Alhaji Sa’idu Barda said he had a cordial relationship with late Alhaji Lawal Kaita even though the deceased sponsored a candidate against him in the 1990s.

Barda was elected Katsina’s governor in 1990 under the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC). He defeated the late Umaru Yar’adua of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP).

He described Kaita as “a senior brother and gentleman.” During the NRC primaries, he said the deceased sponsored the late Alhaji Magaji Muhammed to contest the governorship ticket against him.

“Alhaji Lawal Kaita had sponsored Alhaji Magaji Muhammed against me during the NRC primaries. As God would have it, I defeated his candidate as well as the late Alhaji Kanti Bello, to emerge as the NRC governorship candidate in the state.

“In the general elections, I again defeated the late Umaru Musa Yar’adua, who was sponsored by his older brother the late General Shehu Yar’adua, who was the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), to become the governor,” he said.

Barda said he met Kaita at the civil service of the defunct North Central state. “He was earlier at the veterinary services. He later moved to administration as an administrative officer, where he met me,” he said.

He said the deceased was a “peace-loving person who lived with everyone peacefully despite being a Katsina prince.”

“You know, he’s a Katsina prince from the Dikko lineage. He wanted to become a king. But God didn’t actualize his wish. He was someone who didn’t look down on people.

“He consulted me on several issues. He either called or even come to my house most times. He was a gentleman indeed,” the former governor said.