Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Umar Abubakar-Tafida, has explained why he accepted Governor Nasir Idris’ decision to replace him as running mate for the 2027 governorship election.
Abubakar-Tafida said he viewed the development as part of the changing dynamics of politics and had no intention of fighting the decision.
He spoke on Wednesday in Argungu when supporters and political associates visited his residence following his replacement by the All Progressives Congress, APC.
“Whatever has happened, we have no objection because whatever is done is done with the permission and will of Allah,” he said.
“There is nothing permanent in life. With politics or without politics, you can still progress in life if God so wishes.”
The deputy governor, however, strongly rejected claims that he was dropped because of issues arising from the Supreme Court judgment connected to the 2023 Kebbi governorship election.
He described the claim as “unbecoming and bogus”, accusing political opponents of attempting to use the litigation to damage his reputation.
“But to capitalise on the technicality presented to the Election Tribunal by the opposition party and later ruled upon by the Supreme Court, and now say that I should be replaced, was totally unbecoming and bogus,” he said.
Abubakar-Tafida alleged that those promoting the narrative were deliberately trying to tarnish his political image.
“The motive of those peddling these lies is to tarnish my political image for eternity. We will never succumb to that.
“We will continue to tell the true story of what happened,” he said.
Despite his replacement, Tafida said his relationship with Governor Idris remained cordial.
“I have been working cordially with my governor, Nasir Idris. We have been doing a lot of things together.
“If what happened is about changes in politics for strategic purposes and winning elections, we have no objection to that,” he said.
He reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and pledged to work for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Idris in 2027.
“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,” Tafida said.
The APC had on August 16 announced former Commissioner for Finance, Ibrahim Muhammad-Augie, as Idris’ new running mate.
APC National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Muhammad Argungu, said the decision followed consultations with stakeholders and legal experts over litigation arising from the 2023 governorship election.
“We appraised the 2023 litigations that engulfed the incumbent Deputy Governor.
“The sincere advice by legal experts is to get another candidate in preparation for 2027,” Argungu said.
