2027: I Accept My Replacement As Will Of God, Says Kebbi Deputy Governor

Kebbi State deputy governor, Senator Abubakar Umar Tafidan Kabi, has said he had taken the decision to replace him as the governor’s running mate in the 2027 general elections as the will of God and not because of the legal tussle over his credentials.

He dismissed the claims of his replacement as Governor Nasir Idris’ running mate for the 2027 election to the Supreme Court judgement on the 2023 election.

Kabi who spoke with journalists at his residence in Argungu Town on Wednesday when he hosted a dinner in honour of APC supporters who welcomed back him from a trip and to empathise with him over his replacement, described the claim linking his replacement to the Supreme Court judgement as an attempt by his political opponents to disrespect the judgement surrounding the 2023 governorship election.

According to him, he has accepted his replacement as part of the dynamics of politics but rejected attempts to portray the development as a consequence of the Supreme Court judgement, describing the narrative as capable of tarnishing his image.

The deputy governor noted that to capitalise on the technicality presented to the election tribunal by the opposition party and later ruled upon by the Supreme Court, and now to say that he should be replaced, was totally unbecoming which he would not accept.

Kabi alleged that the narrative was part of a deliberate attempt by his opponents to portray him negatively and damage his political standing.

“The motive of those peddling these lies is to tarnish my political image for eternity. We will never succumb to that.

“Whoever does something to tarnish my image, I have left them with Allah. He will judge them on their mission,” he said.

He added that his replacement had not affected his cordial relationship with Governor Idris, noting that they had worked together to advance the interests of the state.

“I have been working cordially with my governor, Nasir Idris and we have been doing a lot of things together for the progress of Kebbi State and the Nigeria as whole, ” Tafidan Kabi said.

Tafidan Kabi further reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC in Kebbi State and the country and pledged to support President Bola Tinubu and Governor Idris ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We reiterate and maintain our total support and loyalty to APC, and we will continue to rally round our people to vote for President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Nasir Idris to be re-elected in the 2027 general elections,” he said.

He urged his supporters and political associates to accept political developments as part of destiny, while cautioning against using political manoeuvring to destroy the reputation of individuals.

On August 6 there was an announcement that the Kebbi Deputy Governor, Senator Abubakar Umar Tafidan Kabi has been replaced by the former Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad Augie, as Governor Idris’ running mate for the 2027 governorship election.

The announcement was made in Birnin Kebbi by the APC National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Muhammad Argungu, Jarman Kabi, who represented the party’s National Chairman at a solidarity gathering by people from the Argungu Emirate.

Argungu said the decision followed consultations with relevant stakeholders and legal experts over the litigation surrounding the 2023 governorship election involving Abubakar Tafida.

“We appraised the 2023 litigations that engulfed the incumbent Deputy Governor.

“We held consultations with relevant stakeholders in the courts, from the Tribunal to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, where the case terminated.

“The sincere advice by legal experts is to get another candidate in preparation for 2027,” the APC National Organising Secretary said.