Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has firmly denied rumors of his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring, “I will be the last man standing” in the ruling party.
The statement, made during a press conference in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday, April 27, 2025, and reported by Vanguard Nigeria and Punch Nigeria, addressed speculations fueled by recent political realignments in Nigeria’s northwest. Idris, a former trade union leader elected in 2023, reaffirmed his commitment to the APC and President Bola Tinubu’s administration, dismissing the rumors as “baseless propaganda” spread by opponents.
The defection rumors emerged after Idris hosted PDP chieftain Aminu Tambuwal, the former Sokoto State governor, at a cultural event in Kebbi in early April, prompting speculation of a potential alliance. Political analysts noted that Kebbi’s proximity to Sokoto, a PDP stronghold, and Idris’ cordial ties with opposition figures had fueled the narrative. However, Idris clarified that the meeting was purely ceremonial, emphasizing his role as a unifier in the region. “I am an APC man to the core. Those saying I will leave are dreaming. Kebbi is APC, and I will remain until the end,” he stated, flanked by APC state executives.
Idris highlighted his administration’s achievements, including road construction, healthcare upgrades, and agricultural programs, as evidence of his alignment with the APC’s development agenda. He cited the distribution of 10,000 bags of fertilizer to farmers in 2025 as a key initiative, funded by the state’s N3.2 billion agricultural budget. The governor also addressed internal APC tensions, urging party members to resolve disputes amicably ahead of the 2027 elections. “We are one family in Kebbi. No one can divide us,” he said, referencing his mediation in a recent APC ward leadership crisis in Argungu.
The APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, commended Idris’ loyalty in a statement, calling him “a pillar of our party in the northwest.” Kebbi, a strategically important state with over 2 million voters, has been an APC stronghold since 2015, and Idris’ stance is seen as critical to maintaining party unity. The PDP’s Kebbi chapter, in a separate statement, denied approaching Idris, accusing “mischief-makers” of spreading falsehoods. Analysts suggest the rumors reflect broader political maneuvering as parties position for the 2027 governorship race.
Idris, who won 51% of the vote in 2023, faces pressure to deliver on campaign promises amid rising inflation and security challenges, including banditry in southern Kebbi. His administration has deployed 1,500 vigilantes to support military efforts, reducing kidnapping incidents by 40% since 2024, per state records. By dispelling defection rumors, Idris aims to strengthen his leadership and rally APC supporters, positioning Kebbi as a model of party loyalty in Nigeria’s complex political landscape.