Kebbi Government Rejects Senator Maidoki’s Claims Over Failed APC Primary Bid

The Kebbi State Government has formally refuted assertions made by Senator Garba Musa Maidoki, who represents Kebbi South, regarding the loss of his All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the 2027 re-election bid.

Senator Maidoki had previously alleged on a television program that he was denied the party’s ticket due to his outspoken criticism of the government’s handling of insecurity in the Zuru axis of the state. However, in a statement released on Thursday, the state government dismissed the claim as “misleading” and a tactical attempt by the senator to rationalize his electoral defeat.

Ahmed Idris, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Nasir Idris, emphasized that the senator’s claims regarding his motivation for entering politics were inaccurate. The government argued that if tackling insecurity was indeed the senator’s primary platform, voters were well within their rights to evaluate his performance and decide whether he earned a second mandate.

“Even if we accept his claim that he entered politics to address insecurity in the senatorial district, it is only fair to ask what measurable impact he has made toward achieving that objective,” the statement read.

Furthermore, the government rejected suggestions that Governor Nasir Idris interfered in the APC primary process. The administration maintained that the governor respects democratic principles and believes that political success should be determined by a candidate’s performance, public acceptance, and the confidence of the electorate, rather than executive influence.

The state government also pointed to its own record on security, noting that the current administration has made significant progress in stabilizing the Zuru Emirate and other conflict-affected areas, allowing displaced residents to return to their homes and farms.

Calling on Senator Maidoki to accept the democratic outcome in good faith, the government urged the lawmaker to avoid making allegations that could mislead the public.