Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has replaced his deputy, Umar Tafida, as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election, selecting former Commissioner for Finance Ibrahim Augie as his new running mate.
The National Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Suleiman Argungu, announced the development on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi during a gathering of supporters from the Argungu Emirate.
Argungu said legal advice was sought before the decision was taken, particularly in light of the legal disputes surrounding the 2023 governorship election involving the incumbent deputy governor.
Speaking to journalists after the unveiling, Governor Idris said he had no personal disagreement with Tafida, describing the decision as a political one.
However, the deputy governor’s media aide, Yahaya Danjadda, disputed claims that Tafida was aware of the meeting at which Augie was unveiled as Idris’ proposed running mate for the 2027 election.
Danjadda, the Senior Special Assistant to the deputy governor on New Media, made the position known in a post on his Facebook page, saying Tafida had not been consulted before the announcement.
According to him, the claim that the deputy governor was aware of the meeting was an attempt to damage his reputation.
He maintained that Tafida was neither consulted nor informed about the reported decision to replace him as the governor’s running mate.
The development comes as political parties and prospective candidates begin preparations for the 2027 governorship election.
