By Divine Sam
A growing controversy has erupted in Kebbi State following the reported arrest of activist Mukhtar Dan Baturiya, a known supporter of former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami. His detention allegedly stems from a Facebook post suggesting that Governor Nasir Idris and five other northern governors were planning to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The post, which quickly gained traction and stirred backlash, was later deleted by Dan Baturiya. He also issued a public apology on Facebook, stating, “Peace be upon you, brothers. I am sorry about the post I made… that said His Excellency the governor will leave the party. It’s a lie. I swear it is a mistake… I deleting it. Sorry about what happened and, by the grace of God, it will not happen again. I am sorry to the governor and the people of Kebbi. Thank you.”
Despite his apology, reports surfaced that Dan Baturiya had been arrested and remains in detention. The move has sparked criticism, with many describing it as an act of political intimidation.
Comrade Umar OC, Youth Leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kebbi, confirmed the activist’s arrest and expressed his dismay after meeting with Dan Baturiya on Thursday. Umar revealed that the detainee claimed he only shared a screenshot from an online blog and was not the original author of the controversial claim.
“So how did that apology end in a prison cell?” Umar asked in a statement, condemning the arrest. “What crime has he committed other than being affiliated with a different political camp?”
He further accused the Kebbi State Government of suppressing opposition voices and undermining democratic principles. “This political persecution only tarnishes the image of our democracy. Power is fleeting, but the truth will always surface,” Umar stated.
The incident has deepened tensions between Governor Idris and Malami, who is widely speculated to be preparing for a gubernatorial bid in the state.
As of the time of this report, the Kebbi State Government has not issued any official comment on the matter.
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