PDP Kebbi crisis deepens as defections, leadership silence, and dwindling influence challenge the party’s relevance ahead of 2027 elections

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kebbi State is grappling with a deepening political crisis, DAILY POST reports, as defections and inactivity threaten its influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The crisis intensified following the 2025 departure of the state’s three serving senators, Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South), to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. Their exit left the PDP without Senate representation and significantly weakened its federal influence.

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Remaining federal lawmakers, including Ibrahim Bello Mohammed of the Birnin Kebbi/Kalgo/Bunza Federal Constituency, now represent the party’s dwindling presence in the National Assembly. Analysts have described these losses as a “structural earthquake” within the PDP.

Efforts to rebuild internally, such as the September 2025 ward congresses across Kebbi’s 21 local government areas, have yielded little visible activity.

The re-elected state chairman, Alhaji Usman Bello, has maintained that the PDP remains “one indivisible entity,” urging members to focus on long-term reconstruction.

The party’s challenges have been compounded by mass defections. In December 2025, over 1,500 members from the Zuru Emirate joined the APC, citing satisfaction with the administration’s performance in infrastructure, security, and development.

Additional defections from Yauri, Shanga, and Ngaski local governments, alongside the February 2026 exit of former National Women Leader Mariya Waziri, have underscored the party’s declining appeal.

State government officials argue that the PDP’s weakening position reflects public approval of APC governance. Yahaya Sarki, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Kebbi Governor Nasir Idris, stated that “APC’s growing acceptance across Kebbi reflects public satisfaction with governance and inclusive leadership.”

Political analysts acknowledge that the PDP retains structural capacity but emphasise the need for rapid action. A lecturer from the Federal University Birnin Kebbi noted that “politics is dynamic. Today’s dominance does not automatically translate into tomorrow’s victory. The PDP still has structures, but it must act fast to regain visibility and credibility.”

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Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress gubernatorial aspirant and former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, currently stands out as the most visible opposition figure in Kebbi. However, ongoing EFCC investigations have constrained his campaign, limiting immediate political impact.

For a party that once dominated Kebbi politics, the coming months may prove decisive. Observers will watch closely to determine whether the PDP’s current silence represents a strategic recalibration or signals long-term decline.