The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has excluded the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the final list of governorship candidates for the January 16, 2027 election in Kebbi State, leaving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) among the parties whose candidates feature on the list.
The commission’s final list contains 14 governorship candidates representing different political parties.
Governor Nasir Idris is listed as the APC candidate, while former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, will contest under the ADC platform.
Other candidates include Basiru Musa of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Umar Faruk of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), alongside candidates from other political parties.
The PDP’s absence comes amid internal disagreements and divisions among prominent stakeholders over the political direction of the party and Governor Idris’s second-term ambition.
In August, a group of PDP stakeholders led by former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ishaya Bamaiyi (retd.), endorsed Idris for another term, citing what they described as achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, education and empowerment programmes.
However, the Kebbi PDP chairman, Usman Bello Suru, rejected the endorsement, insisting that the group’s position did not represent the party’s official stance. He maintained that the party leadership had selected candidates for the various elective positions.
The PDP’s 2023 governorship candidate, Major General Bello Sarkin Yaki (retd.), also declared support for Idris, saying he had yet to identify another individual whose leadership qualities, integrity and record of service compared with those of the incumbent governor.
The conflicting positions have raised questions about the party’s cohesion and preparedness for the forthcoming election.
Meanwhile, the ADC has intensified its preparations for the contest, positioning Malami as its principal challenger to the APC in the state.
In August, the party inaugurated more than 600 members of its campaign council in Kebbi as part of efforts to strengthen its political structures ahead of the election.
The state ADC has also expressed confidence in its ability to challenge the ruling party and secure victory at the polls.
INEC’s publication of the final list leaves the PDP without a listed governorship candidate for the Kebbi election. However, the specific circumstances surrounding the party’s omission were not stated in the published list.
The development adds to the challenges facing the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections, as political parties intensify preparations for the contest across the country.
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