There is currently growing confusion within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State following widespread rumours that Governor Nasiru Idris may be planning to defect to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The speculation was fueled by a viral report which named Idris among five serving APC governors who are said to be considering joining forces with the 2023 PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in a bid to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
However, despite the report going viral on social media, the state government has remained silent on the issue for over 48 hours, fueling speculation that there might be some truth in the rumours.
The prolonged silence has intensified anxiety among party members and residents, who are now left to wonder about the political future of the governor and the state’s political dynamics.
Our Correspondent observed that despite being in the opposition, the PDP has a strong presence in Kebbi State.
The three senators representing the state in the National Assembly – Adamu Aliero (North), Yahaya Abdullahi (Central) and Garba Musa Maidoki (South) – are all members of the PDP.
Amid growing uncertainty surrounding Governor Nasiru Idris’ future in the APC, former Governor Adamu Aliero continues to wield significant influence in Kebbi State politics.
Although Aliero switched to the opposition PDP, his political experience remains undeniable, with many viewing him as a key decider in the state’s electoral outcomes.
This strong representation has given the opposition party a strong foothold in Kebbi.
In the 2023 gubernatorial election, Governor Idris of the APC won by a narrow margin, securing just 52% of the votes to defeat his main rival, retired Army General Aminu Bande of the PDP.
The rumours of Governor Idris’s defection have triggered an internal crisis within the APC, with several party members expressing concern over the future direction of the party.
In particular, some top members have been reported to be in talks with opposition parties, including the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in anticipation of a possible defection by the governor.
These have led to widespread uncertainty among APC members, especially in the governor’s ward, Nassarawa II, where there is growing confusion over what lies ahead.
To quell the growing unrest, the Chairman of the APC in Kebbi State, Muhammad Zuru, issued a public statement cautioning party members against aligning with what he described as “so-called emerging political parties,” including the SDP.
“As party members, we must remain loyal and sincerely support both the party and the government,” he stated.
The speculation has since stirred mixed reactions among APC members in the state.
In interviews with the Newsmen, some APC members dismissed the reports as baseless, while others are increasingly concerned that the governor’s defection could soon become a reality.
“I don’t believe it’s true,” Alhaji Sani Bello, a senior APC member from Brinin Kebbi Local Government Area, said.
“This is just one of those rumours that tend to surface every election cycle. Governor Idris is too committed to the APC to leave now, especially after the victory in the last election,” he added.
However, not everyone shares Bello’s optimism. A party member from the governor’s ward in Nassarawa II, Brinin Kebbi, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed a more cautious outlook.
“The silence from the government is worrisome. We are deeply concerned. The situation looks increasingly serious daily, and if the governor defects, it could spell the end of APC dominance in Kebbi State. I fear that the defection might be imminent.”
Another APC stalwart, Ahmed Jibril, who has been involved in local politics for years, added that the APC’s declining fortunes could lead to defections.
“It’s possible that Governor Idris is considering joining forces with Atiku. The APC is fractured in the state and national levels, and some of us are already looking at alternatives. If the governor makes the move, others will follow. It’s all about survival in the political game.”
While some members are concerned about Governor Idris’s alleged defection, there is also growing chatter within the APC about the possibility of Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami stepping into the governor’s role in 2027.
Some party members have expressed strong support for Malami, whom they described as a viable alternative and a leader who could unite the party in these uncertain times.
Historically, Kebbi has been an APC stronghold, but recent events have exposed the party’s cracks.
Meanwhile, several attempts to reach Kabir Sani-Giant, Governor Nasiru Idris’s special adviser on Power and Politics, were unsuccessful.
