Kebbi Governor Replaces Deputy as 2027 Running Mate Amid Consent Dispute

Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has dropped his deputy, Umar Tafida, as his running mate for the upcoming 2027 governorship election. The All Progressives Congress (APC) attributed the decision to legal challenges stemming from litigation over their 2023 election victory. However, an aide to the deputy governor has contested the party's assertion that Mr. Tafida was consulted and agreed to the change, presenting a divergent narrative.

Ibrahim Augie, a former commissioner for finance, has been selected as Governor Idris's new running mate. The announcement was made on Sunday during a meeting of political and traditional stakeholders from the Argungu Emirate at the Presidential Lodge in Birnin Kebbi. The Kebbi State Government officially confirmed the replacement on its X account.

According to Suleiman Argungu, the APC National Organising Secretary, party stakeholders reviewed the 2023 election litigation involving the deputy governor and sought legal counsel. This advice indicated that a different candidate should be chosen for the 2027 election. Argungu emphasized that Mr. Tafida was not removed due to incompetence but because of these "legal hurdles." He also claimed that the deputy governor had been informed and had consented to Mr. Augie taking his place on the ticket.

Contradicting these claims, Yahaya Danjadda, a senior special assistant to the deputy governor on New Media, stated that Mr. Tafida was not consulted before Mr. Augie was presented as the new running mate. Danjadda also disputed that the deputy governor was aware of the meeting where the decision was announced. These conflicting accounts leave it uncertain whether Mr. Tafida personally agreed to step aside from the 2027 ticket. Mr. Tafida will continue to serve as the deputy governor of Kebbi State, as the decision pertains only to the 2027 election ticket.