Kebbi PDP splits over support for gov in 2027

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The Peoples Democratic Party in Kebbi State appears divided over the 2027 governorship election, as a group of prominent party stakeholders declared support for the re-election of Governor Nasir Idris of the All Progressives Congress, while the state chapter disowned the endorsement.

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The group, led by former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ishaya Bamaiyi (retd.), made its position known at a gathering of PDP stakeholders and supporters in Birnin Kebbi at the weekend.

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Those present included supporters of the party’s 2015 governorship candidate, Gen Bello Yaki (retd.), associates of former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Buhari Bala, and other prominent PDP figures.

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Bamaiyi said the group’s decision was based on its assessment of Idris’ performance and what it described as his commitment to infrastructural development across the state.

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“For the 2027 elections, we are now fully committed to the victory of Governor Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu,” Bamaiyi said.

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He, however, clarified that the group would remain within the PDP, arguing that political decisions could evolve with changing circumstances.

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Bamaiyi said the political situation within the PDP at the national level should not prevent politicians from taking decisions they considered to be in the best interest of Kebbi State.

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Also speaking, Bala said their experience in Nigeria’s political development made it impossible for them to remain passive in the face of what he described as the governor’s “patriotic and selfless leadership.”

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He said the governor’s performance, particularly his commitment to infrastructure and the transformation of Birnin Kebbi, had convinced the group to support his continuation in office beyond 2027.

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Responding, Idris thanked the PDP stakeholders and their supporters for expressing confidence in his administration, saying the declaration demonstrated growing support for his leadership and development agenda.

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However, the Kebbi State PDP leadership subsequently rejected reports suggesting that the party had endorsed Idris or the APC ahead of the 2027 election.

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In a statement issued on Sunday, the state PDP Chairman, Usman Suru, described the party as “one and united” and said it remained committed to its candidates and political platform.

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“The Kebbi State PDP denies and rejects the rumour that it is supporting the APC and the APC governorship candidate in Kebbi State in the upcoming 2027 election,” Suru said.

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He urged party members and supporters to disregard reports that the PDP had abandoned its platform or adopted the APC candidate.

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“I advise PDP members to focus on uniting the people and disregard all false and baseless rumours being spread by those who want to confuse. Such people have no control over the PDP in Kebbi State,” he added.

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Suru said the PDP had candidates for the state House of Assembly in all 21 local government areas, the House of Representatives in all eight federal constituencies and the Senate in the three senatorial districts.

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He added that the party also has a governorship candidate, insisting that the PDP remained an independent and fully established political organisation in the state.

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The development has heightened political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with a group of PDP stakeholders backing the incumbent governor despite the state chapter’s insistence that it has neither endorsed Idris nor abandoned its candidate.

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The development comes weeks after thousands of members of the African Democratic Congress from the seven local government areas of Kebbi South reportedly defected to the APC, including the party’s House of Representatives candidate for Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency.

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The latest realignment is expected to further shape the political contest in Kebbi ahead of the 2027 elections.

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