Kebbi State Deputy Governor Umar Abubakar-Tafida on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, in Argungu, Kebbi State, rejected claims that the Supreme Court’s 2024 judgment on the 2023 governorship election caused Governor Nasir Idris to replace him as running mate for the 2027 election.

Tafida spoke after supporters and political associates visited his residence following the All Progressives Congress’ decision to replace him with former Commissioner for Finance Ibrahim Muhammad-Augie on the proposed 2027 governorship ticket.

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Rather than challenge the decision, Tafida said he had accepted the development as part of the changing nature of politics and remained committed to the 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.”

His comments came days after the APC announced Muhammad-Augie as Governor Idris’ new running mate for the 2027 election.

APC National Organising Secretary Suleiman Muhammad Argungu said the party had reviewed the legal history surrounding the 2023 governorship election and consulted stakeholders and legal experts before settling on a replacement.

“We appraised the 2023 litigations that engulfed the incumbent Deputy Governor,” Argungu said.

“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.”

Argungu said the legal advice received by the party was to select another candidate ahead of the 2027 election.

Tafida, however, drew a distinction between the existence of the litigation and the reason for his replacement.

He described suggestions that the Supreme Court verdict itself led to his removal as “unbecoming and bogus”, arguing that political opponents were attempting to exploit the court case 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.

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

The dispute centres on legal questions that emerged from the 2023 Kebbi governorship election, which initially ended without a final result after the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the March 18 poll inconclusive.

A supplementary election was subsequently held, after which Idris of the APC was declared the winner with 409,225 votes against 360,940 recorded by Peoples Democratic Party candidate Aminu Bande.

The election was challenged through the tribunal and Court of Appeal before reaching the Supreme Court.

On January 19, 2024, the Supreme Court affirmed Idris’ election and dismissed the PDP challenge.

The apex court also found that allegations of forgery involving Tafida had not been established to the required legal standard.

The distinction is significant because Tafida’s latest comments suggest that he does not regard that judgment as a determination that should prevent him from continuing on the ticket.

The APC’s position is different. Argungu said the party’s consultations with legal experts informed its decision to seek a different running mate for 2027.

Despite the disagreement over the interpretation of the political development, Tafida maintained that 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,” he said.

Tafida also indicated that he would not allow the change to create a break with the party.

He reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and pledged to support the re-election campaigns of both 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,” he said.

The decision to replace Tafida was announced on August 16, with Muhammad-Augie emerging as Idris’ new running mate.

Reports said the choice followed consultations involving party stakeholders and legal experts.

The move does not remove Tafida from the office of deputy governor.

The Kebbi State Government’s official website continues to identify Umar Abubakar-Tafida as the state’s deputy governor, a position he assumed on May 29, 2023.

For Governor Idris, the change represents an adjustment to the APC’s 2027 electoral strategy.

For Tafida, it is a political setback he says he is prepared to accept without abandoning his party or his working relationship with the governor.

The episode also shows how the legal battles surrounding Nigeria’s 2023 elections continue to influence political calculations ahead of the 2027 polls, even where the courts have already settled the underlying electoral dispute.

In Kebbi, the Supreme Court confirmed Idris’ victory nearly three years ago.

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The fresh controversy is now less about who won the 2023 election and more about how its legal history should shape the APC’s choice of candidates for 2027.