‘My replacement was political, not legal’ — Kebbi deputy governor breaks silence

The Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Umar Abubakar-Tafida, has dismissed claims that his replacement as Governor Nasir Idris’ running mate for the 2027 governorship election was based on legal concerns over his academic certificates.

Mr Abubakar-Tafida said his replacement was politically motivated, alleging that his opponents capitalised on a legal technicality arising from the litigation over the 2023 governorship election to undermine his political standing.

DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the All Progressives Congress, APC, recently announced the replacement of Mr Abubakar-Tafida with former Commissioner for Finance, Ibrahim Muhammad-Augie, as Governor Idris’ running mate for the 2027 governorship election.

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

However, speaking while hosting some of his supporters on Wednesday, Mr Abubakar-Tafida said his replacement should not be interpreted as a consequence of any wrongdoing or legal deficiency on his part.

“Whatever has happened, we have no objection because whatever is done is done with the permission and will of Allah.

“Whatever a person does can never be effective without the permission of Allah.

“There is nothing permanent in life. With politics or without politics, you can still progress in life if God so wishes.

“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.

The deputy governor alleged that his political opponents were deliberately promoting a narrative aimed at damaging his reputation and future political prospects.

“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.

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

Mr Abubakar-Tafida, however, said his replacement had not affected his relationship with Governor Idris, stressing that both men had worked together to advance the interests of the state.

“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.

The deputy governor said he had accepted the development in good faith, noting that political positions were temporary and ultimately subject to the will of Allah.

He also reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and pledged to support President Bola Tinubu and Governor Idris ahead of the 2027 general elections.