Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Thousands of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the 21 local government areas of Kebbi State converged on the Haliru Abdu Stadium in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, May 21, 2026, to unanimously affirm Governor Nasir Idris, popularly known as Kauran Gwandu, as the party's sole governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections. The colourful and historic affirmation congress attracted prominent party stalwarts and political leaders, including three former governors of Kebbi State — Senator Muhammadu Adamu Aliero, Alhaji Sa'idu Usman Nasamu Dakingari, and Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu — as well as serving and former deputy governors, ministers, members of the National and State Assemblies, local government chairmen, councillors, and thousands of APC supporters from across the state.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee and former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Abdulmalik Muhammad, described the level of unity and solidarity displayed by APC members in Kebbi State as unprecedented. According to him, the committee's assignment was made easy because party members had already spoken with one voice in support of Governor Nasir Idris. "This is the only state where I have witnessed such enormous support and overwhelming unity behind a leader," he stated. He commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise and the massive participation of party faithful, noting that the Kebbi APC had demonstrated uncommon loyalty, discipline, and commitment to the party and its leadership.
Hon. Abdulmalik Muhammad subsequently sought the consent of party members to officially present the Certificate of Return to Governor Nasir Idris as the party's sole governorship candidate for 2027 — a move that received thunderous approval from the crowd. He praised APC members in Kebbi State for their steadfast commitment to unity, stability, and the continued growth of the party. The affirmation exercise, which was conducted through a show of hands and voice vote, was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who described the process as peaceful and transparent.
Earlier, the Kebbi State APC Chairman, Abubakar Kana Zuru, explained that the affirmation exercise was a continuation of the overwhelming endorsement earlier expressed by party members across the 225 wards of the state. He noted that Governor Nasir Idris had earned the confidence and support of the people through purposeful leadership, inclusive governance, and remarkable developmental achievements recorded across Kebbi State. According to him, the overwhelming endorsement by party stakeholders and supporters reflected the trust and confidence reposed in Governor Idris by both the people of Kebbi State and the APC family. "We are here to complete what we started — to return Governor Idris for a second term come 2027," Kana Zuru declared.
At the peak of the event, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Hon. Abdulmalik Muhammad, alongside the State APC Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kana Zuru, raised the hands of Governor Nasir Idris before the jubilant crowd, formally presenting and affirming him as the APC governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections. The stadium erupted in cheers, chants, and traditional drumming as supporters waved APC flags and displayed banners celebrating the governor's achievements. The presence of the three former governors — Aliero, Dakingari, and Bagudu — was particularly symbolic, as it signaled a rare moment of political unity in a state that has witnessed its share of internal party conflicts. The three men, who have each served as governor and have各自的 political followings, stood together on the podium, raising the governor's hand in a powerful display of solidarity.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Nasir Idris expressed profound gratitude to Almighty Allah, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC leaders, and the people of Kebbi State for the confidence and support extended to him. He described the gathering as a clear demonstration of unity, loyalty, and collective commitment to the progress, peace, and stability of Kebbi State. The governor particularly appreciated the support, guidance, and encouragement of former governors and senior party leaders, stressing that their collective efforts had continued to strengthen the APC in Kebbi State and across the country. "I am deeply humbled by this overwhelming show of support. This is not just an affirmation of my candidacy; it is a reaffirmation of our collective resolve to build a greater Kebbi State," he said.
Governor Idris pledged to continue serving the people with dedication and sincerity while sustaining the developmental strides already recorded under his administration. He highlighted key achievements from his first term, including improvements in healthcare delivery, expansion of rural infrastructure, agricultural transformation, and youth empowerment programmes. He further assured party members and the people of Kebbi State that he would continue to justify the trust placed in him through impactful governance and people-oriented policies, while also supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the overall development of Nigeria.
The affirmation congress was notable for the absence of any rival aspirant or factional dispute. Political observers noted that Kebbi State has become a model for internal party democracy, where consensus-building and stakeholder engagement have replaced the rancour and division that characterise primary elections in many other states. The presence of all three former governors on the same platform sent a strong message that the APC in Kebbi State is united behind Governor Idris and that any potential opposition within the party has been effectively neutralised.
As the 2027 election cycle gathers momentum, Governor Nasir Idris now stands as the APC flagbearer for Kebbi State, with the full backing of the party's leadership and the apparent support of the state's electorate. The opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), have yet to finalise their candidate selection processes, but analysts believe that the unity displayed by the APC in Kebbi State could prove decisive in retaining the governorship for the ruling party. For now, the people of Kebbi State have witnessed a historic display of political harmony, and Governor Nasir Idris has set his sights on a second term.
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