Kebbi 2027: Governor Idris Drops Deputy Tafida, Picks Augie as Running Mate

Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has replaced his deputy, Umar Tafida, with former Commissioner for Finance Ibrahim Augie as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election.

The development was announced on Sunday by the National Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Suleiman Argungu, during a gathering of supporters from the Argungu Emirate in Birnin Kebbi.

Argungu said legal advice was sought before the decision was reached, particularly in relation to ongoing litigation connected to the 2023 governorship election involving the incumbent deputy governor.

Idris Says Decision Was Political

Speaking shortly after Augie’s unveiling, Governor Idris said the decision was not motivated by any personal disagreement with Tafida.

He described the replacement as a political decision, without providing further details on the factors behind the change.

The move means Augie, who previously served as Kebbi’s Commissioner for Finance, will now join Idris on the APC ticket as the party prepares for the 2027 governorship election.

Tafida’s Camp Rejects Awareness Claim

Meanwhile, the deputy governor’s camp has disputed reports suggesting that Tafida was aware of the meeting where Augie was unveiled.

Yahaya Danjadda, Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on New Media, said Tafida was not consulted before the announcement.

In a statement shared on his Facebook page, Danjadda said nobody informed or consulted the deputy governor about the purported selection of his replacement.

He also rejected claims that Tafida was aware of the meeting, describing such reports as an attempt to damage his principal’s reputation.

The development has introduced a new political dynamic within Kebbi’s APC as the party begins preparations for the 2027 governorship election.