Political developments within the Kebbi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have taken a new turn following Governor Nasir Idris’ decision to replace his deputy, Umar Abubakar-Tafida, with former Commissioner for Finance, Ibrahim Muhammad Augie, as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election.
The development has sparked political discussions across the state, particularly over the circumstances surrounding the change and the reasons given by the APC leadership.
The announcement was made on Sunday at the Presidential Lodge in Birnin Kebbi by the APC National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Muhammad Argungu, during a visit by stakeholders from the Argungu Emirate to Governor Idris.
Argungu explained that the decision followed legal advice concerning Tafida’s eligibility to remain on the governor’s ticket for the 2027 election.
According to him, the party reviewed legal issues connected to the 2023 governorship election before settling on Augie as Idris’ new running mate.
The APC national organising secretary also maintained that the decision was reached with Tafida’s understanding and consent, arguing that there was no disagreement between the governor and his deputy.
However, that account was later challenged by an aide to the deputy governor.
Yahaya Danjadda, Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on New Media, disputed the claim that Tafida was consulted before Augie was presented as the new running mate.
Danjadda described the suggestion that Tafida had consented to the arrangement as misleading and said it was capable of damaging the deputy governor’s reputation.
The conflicting positions have consequently raised questions about the circumstances that preceded the APC’s decision to alter the 2027 governorship ticket.
Background to the 2023 election dispute
The controversy has its roots partly in litigation that followed the 2023 Kebbi State governorship election.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Aminu Bande, challenged the victory of the APC ticket in court.
Among the issues raised during the legal proceedings was an allegation concerning the authenticity of a secondary school testimonial allegedly presented by Tafida.
The Court of Appeal rejected the allegation in November 2023 and affirmed Governor Idris’ election. The matter subsequently proceeded to the Supreme Court, which upheld Idris’ election on January 19, 2024.
Despite the conclusion of the litigation, the APC has now cited legal advice relating to issues arising from the previous election as part of the basis for changing the 2027 ticket.
However, the party has not publicly provided detailed information on the specific legal advice or finding that it says necessitated Tafida’s replacement.
Tafida rejects link to Supreme Court judgment
Tafida has since personally addressed the controversy, rejecting the suggestion that the Supreme Court judgment on the 2023 governorship election was responsible for his removal from the 2027 ticket.
The deputy governor spoke in Argungu on Wednesday when supporters, political associates and well-wishers visited him following the announcement of Augie as Governor Idris’ new running mate.
Tafida said attempts to connect his replacement directly to the outcome of the 2023 election litigation were aimed at damaging his political reputation.
He acknowledged that political decisions could change over time but objected to what he described as a false narrative surrounding the circumstances of his replacement.
“But to capitalise on the technicality presented to the Election Tribunal by the opposition party and later ruled upon by the Supreme Court, and now say that I should be replaced, was totally unbecoming and bogus,” Tafida said.
He added that he would continue to clarify his position and explain what transpired to his supporters and the wider public.
Tafida calls for calm
Despite his disagreement with the explanation surrounding the decision, Tafida said he had no objection to a political arrangement aimed at strengthening the APC and improving the party’s prospects in the 2027 election.
He urged his supporters to remain calm and avoid actions that could further escalate tensions within the party.
The deputy governor also stressed that political positions are temporary and can change depending on prevailing circumstances.
His response appears to have introduced a distinction between his acceptance of the political decision and his disagreement with the explanation given for it.
What the development means for Kebbi APC
The emergence of Augie as Governor Idris’ running mate is likely to remain a major talking point within the APC as preparations for the 2027 election intensify.
The development could also test the ability of party leaders and stakeholders to manage competing interests ahead of the election.
For Governor Idris, the immediate political task will be to maintain cohesion within the APC and ensure that the change in the ticket does not create divisions capable of affecting the party’s campaign structure.
For Tafida and his supporters, the focus is expected to remain on clarifying the circumstances surrounding his replacement and maintaining their political relevance within the state.
Augie, meanwhile, now faces the responsibility of building acceptance among party members and stakeholders as the APC prepares for another governorship contest.
Importantly, Tafida’s replacement as the APC’s prospective running mate does not mean that he has been removed from his current constitutional position as Deputy Governor of Kebbi State. The development concerns the APC’s proposed 2027 governorship ticket and not the deputy governor’s tenure in the present administration.
As political activities ahead of 2027 gradually intensify, the APC’s handling of the transition from Tafida to Augie will remain significant in determining the level of unity within the party and its preparations for the next governorship election.