Speculation Mounts Over Governor Idris’s Potential Move to Atiku’s Coalition

Confusion is mounting within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State as rumors swirl regarding Governor Nasiru Idris’s potential defection to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections. The speculation, fueled by a viral report, claims that Idris is one of five serving APC governors considering joining forces with Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, in an effort to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

Despite the widespread circulation of this report on social media, the state government has remained silent for over 48 hours, sparking growing speculation that the rumors may hold some truth. This prolonged silence has only heightened anxiety among both party members and the public, leaving many to question the political future of the governor and the overall direction of the state’s politics.

While the PDP remains in opposition in Kebbi, it holds a strong presence in the state, with all three senators representing Kebbi in the National Assembly—Adamu Aliero (North), Yahaya Abdullahi (Central), and Garba Musa Maidoki (South)—being members of the PDP. Former Governor Aliero, who switched to the PDP, continues to wield significant influence in Kebbi’s political landscape. His experience and status make him a key player in the state’s political arena, and his presence in the opposition party has solidified the PDP’s foothold in Kebbi.

In the 2023 gubernatorial election, Governor Idris, representing the APC, won by a narrow margin, securing 52% of the vote to defeat his main rival, retired General Aminu Bande of the PDP. However, the rumors of his possible defection have triggered an internal crisis within the APC, with some party members exploring alliances with opposition parties, including the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in anticipation of a shift in allegiances by the governor.

This uncertainty has sparked confusion, particularly in the governor’s home ward of Nassarawa II, where residents and local APC members are unsure of what lies ahead. To calm growing concerns, the Chairman of the APC in Kebbi State, Muhammad Zuru, issued a public statement urging party members to remain loyal and avoid aligning with what he called “so-called emerging political parties,” including the SDP.

In interviews with Daily Post, opinions among APC members were divided. Senior APC member Alhaji Sani Bello dismissed the reports as baseless, attributing them to rumors that surface during election cycles. He expressed confidence that Governor Idris would remain loyal to the APC, especially after the party’s victory in the last election. However, a party member from Nassarawa II expressed a more cautious view, emphasizing that the silence from the government was troubling. This individual warned that if the governor were to defect, it could signal the end of APC dominance in the state.

Ahmed Jibril, another APC figure with deep roots in local politics, suggested that the governor’s potential defection could be linked to the party’s declining fortunes both at the state and national levels. He acknowledged that some party members were already exploring alternatives, with the possibility of Governor Idris aligning with Atiku gaining traction.

Amid these discussions, there is also growing speculation within the APC that Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami could emerge as a strong candidate for governor in 2027. Some party members have expressed support for Malami, seeing him as a unifying figure who could help stabilize the APC in these uncertain times.

Historically, Kebbi has been a stronghold of the APC, but recent events suggest that the party’s dominance in the state may be at risk. Attempts to contact Kabir Sani-Giant, the Special Adviser to Governor Idris on Power and Politics, were unsuccessful. Sani-Giant, who was recently suspended from the APC for allegedly bringing a snake into the Government House and intimidating officials, has remained unreachable for comment.