The Peoples Democratic Party in Kebbi State is showing signs of internal division ahead of the 2027 governorship election after a group of influential party stakeholders declared support for the re-election of Governor Nasir Idris of the All Progressives Congress.
The state PDP leadership, however, has distanced itself from the endorsement, insisting that the party remains united and committed to its own candidates and political platform.
The group supporting Idris, led by former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ishaya Bamaiyi (retd.), announced its position during a gathering of PDP stakeholders and supporters in Birnin Kebbi at the weekend.
The meeting was attended by supporters of the party’s 2015 governorship candidate, Gen Bello Yaki (retd.), as well as associates of former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Buhari Bala, and other prominent PDP members.
Bamaiyi said the group’s decision followed its assessment of Idris’ performance in office, particularly his administration’s focus on infrastructure and development across the state.
“For the 2027 elections, we are now fully committed to the victory of Governor Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu,” Bamaiyi said.
Despite the endorsement, Bamaiyi stressed that the group would remain members of the PDP, explaining that political decisions could change as circumstances evolve.
He also argued that developments within the PDP at the national level should not prevent politicians from making choices they believe are beneficial to Kebbi State.
Bala, who also spoke at the gathering, said their years of involvement in Nigeria’s political development had made it difficult for them to ignore what he described as the governor’s “patriotic and selfless leadership.”
He said Idris’ record, especially his focus on infrastructure and the transformation of Birnin Kebbi, had persuaded the group to support his bid to remain in office beyond 2027.
Responding to the endorsement, Governor Idris expressed appreciation to the PDP stakeholders and their supporters for their confidence in his administration.
He said the declaration reflected what he considered growing public support for his leadership and development agenda.
Kebbi PDP Disowns Endorsement
The state PDP leadership subsequently rejected reports that the party had endorsed Idris or the APC ahead of the 2027 election.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Kebbi PDP Chairman, Usman Suru, described the party as “one and united” and reaffirmed its commitment to its candidates and political platform.
“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.
He called on party members and supporters to disregard reports suggesting that the PDP had abandoned its platform or adopted the APC candidate.
“He 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.
Suru said the PDP had fielded candidates for the state House of Assembly across all 21 local government areas, the House of Representatives in the eight federal constituencies and the Senate across the three senatorial districts.
He also confirmed that the party has a governorship candidate, stressing that the PDP remains an independent and established political organisation in Kebbi State.
The conflicting positions have intensified political calculations ahead of the 2027 governorship contest, with a faction of PDP stakeholders backing the incumbent governor while the official state chapter maintains that it has neither endorsed Idris nor abandoned its own candidate.
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.
Among those said to have defected was the ADC’s House of Representatives candidate for the Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency.
The latest political realignment is expected to further influence the contest for Kebbi State ahead of the 2027 elections.