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Political changes in Kebbi State are becoming more intense as the general elections of 2027 get near, and former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN) is becoming a key player.

According to ZINGTIE, there are clear signs that Malami is under pressure from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) and run for governor in 2027 using its platform.

Sources within the political circles in Kebbi and Abuja tell ZINGTIE that Malami has been offered the SDP governorship ticket, with assistance purportedly arranged by former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

But according to reports, Malami, a senior figure in President Buhari’s administration, is holding back to watch what Governor Nasir Idris does next and where the APC in Kebbi is going.

ZINGTIE was informed by a trustworthy source close to the former AGF 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.”

Unverified rumors that Governor Idris might be teasing an opposition coalition lead by Atiku made this assessment much more urgent.

The rumors have caused a great deal of friction within the APC’s Kebbi ranks, even though the governor has since disputed the accusations and publicly reaffirmed his allegiance to the party by declaring, “I’ll be the last man standing.”

Our reporter was informed by a source in Governor Idris’ cabinet that Atiku’s camp is genuinely pressuring the governor to quit the APC, but he is unwilling to do so for whatever 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.

In order to create a strong northern political coalition that would compete with the present Bola Tinubu-led APC government in 2027, El-Rufai recently met with Malami and other northern political figures in Katsina, according to multiple sources.

El-Rufai “promised Malami a free ticket and full support” to join the SDP, according to one source.

“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.”

The odds might not be out of the question, according to political observers in the state.

Despite his early goodwill and popularity as a populist, Governor Idris has struggled with rising levels of insecurity in the state’s rural districts, particularly in the vicinity of Danko-Wasagu and portions of Zuru Emirate.

Banditry has increased, farmers have been uprooted, and the displaced population is still putting strain on the area’s already vulnerable resources.

In addition, his administration has come under fire for its sluggish infrastructure development and what detractors have called a “disconnect” from the demands of the people.

“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.

Even if the state were to look for a new governor, Abubakar Malami might not be the chosen candidate, according to Kabir Mustapha, a former secretary of the now-defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Bagudo West and current APC chieftain.

“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.”

With the exception of Birnin Kebbi and portions of Argungu and Gwandu, where he is thought to have the support of traditional leaders and local political structures he has established over the years, Malami’s acceptability at home is still low despite his national reputation as a technocrat and Buhari supporter.

“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.

Malami does, however, still bear the scars of previous scandals from his tenure as AGF, including as criticism for his handling of well-known corruption cases and alleged partisan overreach.

As of right now, Malami and Governor Idris are at odds over his alleged desire to run for governor of Kebbi State in the 2027 elections.

Both men are fighting for power and influence in the state in this long-simmering political competition, which is becoming more intense as the elections approach.

The cold war has reportedly escalated, according to ZINGTIE, which also reported on the purported arrest of Mukhtar Dan Baturiya, a well-known activist and ardent admirer of Malami.

According to reports, the arrest was connected to a Facebook post in which Baturiya discussed the potential for Governor Nasir Idris to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) in advance of the general elections in 2027.

The political chessboard in Kebbi is getting hotter as the elections in two years draw near.

The election might become one of the most fiercely contested in the North-West if Malami switches to the SDP and has El-Rufai’s full support.

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