As the 2027 general elections approach, political permutations are intensifying in Kebbi State, with former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), emerging as a central figure.
There are strong indications that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is mounting pressure on Malami to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) and run for governor in 2027 on its platform, DAILY POST has learnt.
Sources within the political circles in Kebbi and Abuja informed DAILY POST that Malami has been offered the SDP governorship ticket, with backing allegedly orchestrated by former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
However, Malami, who was a top official in President Buhari’s government, is reportedly holding back, waiting to see what Governor Nasir Idris does next and where the APC in Kebbi is headed.
A reliable source close to the former AGF told DAILY POST that “Malami was expected to officially announce his defection to the SDP in mid-April alongside former Ekiti Governor, Kayode Fayemi, but he has deliberately delayed the move.
“He’s watching the governor (Idris) closely, especially with the claims making the rounds that he may leave the ruling party. If Idris decamps from APC, Malami may remain to easily claim the guber ticket. But if the governor stays put, he could jump ship.”
This calculation became more pressing following unconfirmed reports that Governor Idris may be flirting with an Atiku-led opposition coalition.
While the governor has since denied the reports, publicly affirming his loyalty to the APC, saying, “I’ll be the last man standing”, the rumours have stirred considerable tension within the party’s ranks in Kebbi.
A source in Governor Idris’ cabinet confided in our reporter that there are truly pressures from Atiku’s camp wooing the governor to leave APC, but he is not willing to defect for any reason.
“Governors are defecting to the APC, and you expect a sitting governor who maintains a good relationship with the federal government to leave?
“Of course, there are pressures here and there, but I can assure you, Governor Idris is going nowhere. You can take that to the bank. As for the PDP and SDP, they’re as good as dead,” he told our reporter.
Multiple sources confirmed that El-Rufai recently met with Malami and other northern political players in Katsina to form a formidable northern political coalition that would rival the current Bola Tinubu-led APC government in 2027.
One source said El-Rufai “promised Malami a free ticket and full support,” to join the SDP.
“El-Rufai is building something bigger than just Kebbi. He’s connecting dots across Kaduna, Katsina Kebbi and Gombe. Malami is central to the Kebbi plan,” the source said.
Speaking further, the insider said “The challenge is that El-Rufai is yet to gain national acceptance in the South following his recent defection to the SDP.
“This development has caused Malami to reconsider his position. El-Rufai’s defection to the SDP appeared hasty and lacked foresight.
“Many believe he may have defected to the SDP as part of a strategic move to work for President Tinubu, aiming to block any potential coalition by the PDP, which is currently engulfed in deep crisis.
“Don’t forget, the man in power is a known strategist and Malami is not unaware of this. This is one of the reasons he seems to have been foot-dragging.
“Now, the question is whether Malami, should he accept the SDP offer, has what it takes to defeat the incumbent governor in 2027.”
Political analysts in the state have stated that the odds may not be far-fetched.
Governor Idris, despite his initial goodwill and populist appeal, has been plagued by growing insecurity in rural areas of the state, especially around Danko-Wasagu and parts of Zuru Emirate.
Farmers have been displaced, banditry has surged and displaced persons continue to mount pressure on already fragile local resources.
His administration has also faced criticism over slow infrastructural development and what critics described as a “disconnect” from grassroots needs.
“Governor Idris seems to have lost some shine in the eyes of Kebbi people. There’s frustration in the air.
“People want security and visible development. Malami can capitalize on that if he plays his cards right,” a senior SDP official said.
However, Kabir Mustapha, a former secretary of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Bagudo West and now a chieftain of the APC, said that even if the state were to seek a new governor, Abubakar Malami might not be the preferred candidate.
“You don’t substitute your best player in the middle of a match. When it comes to governance, Governor Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, remains the best.
“A hundred Malamis can’t match him. When I hear people say the governor is defecting, I just laugh. Defect for what, exactly? Is anyone contesting the state with him?
“Is the federal government fighting him? The rumours are nothing more than beer parlour talk.”
Despite his national image as a Buhari loyalist and a technocrat, Malami’s acceptability at home remains limited, except in Birnin Kebbi and parts of Argungu and Gwandu, where he is believed to enjoy the backing of traditional rulers and local political structures he has built over the years.
“Malami helped a lot of youths while he was in office. He still commands respect and his quiet philanthropy hasn’t gone unnoticed,” one community leader told this paper.
However, Malami also carries the baggage of past controversies from his time as AGF, including criticism over his handling of high-profile corruption cases and perceived partisan overreach..
For now, Malami’s rumoured ambition to contest for the Kebbi State governorship in the 2027 elections has further ignited a cold war between him and Governor Idris.
This political rivalry has been simmering for some time, with both men vying for control and influence in the state, especially with the upcoming elections drawing nearer.
DAILY POST reported that the cold war has intensified, with reports about the alleged arrest of Mukhtar Dan Baturiya, a prominent activist and staunch supporter of Malami.
The arrest was reportedly linked to a Facebook post where Baturiya shared the possibility of Governor Nasir Idris defecting from the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With two years left to the polls, the political chessboard in Kebbi is heating up.
If Malami makes the leap to the SDP and gains El-Rufai’s full backing, the race could become one of the most hotly contested in the North-West.