The Kebbi State Government has hit back at former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami following his declaration of a "state of emergency on misgovernance" in the state. Malami made the statement after securing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship nomination for the 2027 election. In a response issued on Sunday, the state government accused him of spreading falsehoods about insecurity, poverty, education, and healthcare in Kebbi. The statement was released by Yahaya Sarki, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Nasir Idris.
The government acknowledged Malami's right to contest the election but criticised his portrayal of the state's condition. It argued that many of the problems he cited worsened during the federal administration in which he served as Attorney-General. The statement said individuals in federal office at the time, including Malami, bear responsibility for national challenges like insecurity and economic hardship. It described as contradictory his attempt to position himself as a reformer while having held a top role in the previous government.
Kebbi State said banditry and terrorism expanded significantly during Malami's tenure at the federal level. It accused past federal leaders of failing to address the security crisis effectively. The current administration, it stated, inherited governance and infrastructure deficits when Governor Idris took office in 2023. Since then, reforms have been ongoing in education, healthcare, agriculture, road infrastructure, and security.
Rehabilitation is underway in general hospitals across the state, and some primary healthcare centres are being upgraded. The government said these efforts reflect ongoing commitment to development. It urged the public to evaluate Malami's claims against the backdrop of his own record in federal office.
Abubakar Malami claims Kebbi is in crisis but held a key federal role while similar national issues deepened. His call for emergency action ignores his own administration's failure to curb banditry and economic decline. Nigerians must assess whether a former top official can credibly blame others for problems that grew under his watch. The Idris government's focus on hospital upgrades and infrastructure offers a direct counter-narrative to Malami's portrayal.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
