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

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

Argungu said the change followed legal consultations over litigation arising from the 2023 governorship election involving Tafida.

“We held consultations with relevant stakeholders in the courts, from the Tribunal to the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court, where the case terminated. The sincere advice by legal experts is to get another candidate ahead of 2027,” he said.

He stressed that Tafida was not being replaced over incompetence but because of what he described as legal hurdles linked to the previous litigation.

“Tafida is dropped not on account of incompetence but because of legal hurdles. Tafida has consented to the choice of Ibrahim Muhammad Augie as his replacement for the deputy governorship, which he endorsed. Both of them are from Argungu Emirate,” Argungu said.

However, Tafida’s media aide disputed the claim that the deputy governor had accepted the decision.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on New Media, Yahaya Danjadda, said Tafida was not consulted before Augie was unveiled as Idris’ proposed running mate.

In a Facebook post, Danjadda said nobody informed his principal about the meeting or sought his consent, describing the claim that Tafida was aware of the development as an attempt to tarnish his image.

Governor Idris, meanwhile, said he had no personal disagreement with his deputy, describing the replacement as a political decision.

“I have accepted the choice of the former Finance Commissioner, Ibrahim Muhammad Augie, as my running mate in the 2027 governorship election. I am adaptable to any circumstance. I can function with any person,” Idris said.

The governor described Augie as disciplined and trustworthy, adding that he had known him for a long time.

Idris also appealed to residents of the Argungu Emirate to support his re-election bid, pointing to projects executed by his administration and the revival of the Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival.

The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammadu Mera, expressed support for Augie’s selection and reaffirmed the emirate’s loyalty to the governor.

Argungu also warned APC members against engaging in anti-party activities, saying the party would deal decisively with members who worked against its interests ahead of the 2027 elections.