Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has faulted the calls by Kebbi State lawmakers in the National Assembly for his arrest and prosecution over allegations of fuelling political unrest in the state.
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Malami described the call as a misplaced priority and a politicisation of security matters, which he had raised in his petition to the police and the Department of State Services.
The former attorney general had, on September 10, petitioned the National Security Adviser, DSS, and the police over what he called a plot to destabilise Kebbi State.
He accused Governor Nasir Idris and other APC stakeholders of involvement in the alleged importation of thugs and illegal arms into the North-West state.
But the Kebbi lawmakers, led by the former governor of the state, Adamu Aliero, at a press conference on Friday evening, accused Malami of importing political thugs from Sokoto and other neighbouring states to attack the All Progressives Congress secretariat in Birnin Kebbi, a development that reportedly triggered violent clashes between his supporters and party members.
The lawmakers described Malami’s petition as baseless and politically motivated, accusing him of trying to undermine peace in the state.
“The allegations are false, unfounded, and desperate. Ironically, during Malami’s condolence visit to Birnin Kebbi, he brought in thugs who attacked the APC State Secretariat. This is an unprecedented development in Kebbi politics, which has always been known for peace.
“We reaffirm our unwavering support for all security agencies working tirelessly to keep our borders safe and our communities peaceful, and this sort of negative narrative is designed to undermine the efforts of the security agencies. We urge you not to be deterred. We also urge you to invite Malami to substantiate his allegations.”
Reacting in a phone interview with Sunday PUNCH, Malami insisted that the caucus was politicising a serious security matter instead of addressing the threats facing the people of the state.
He accused the lawmakers of prioritising politics over the safety of citizens.
Malami said, “What they are trying to do is to politicise a security matter. The issues that were raised in my petitions are fundamental in the sense that they focus on security and security matters. So, the idea of calling for an arrest simply because someone raised an issue that is key and fundamental to the security situation in the state is indeed expressly misplaced.
“It is misplaced in the sense that they (the lawmakers) are not calling for increased security, even when people are dying every day as a result of bandit attacks. Bandits are attacking, sending people away, and destroying their properties, including their cattle, among others.
“They are not looking at it from the perspective of making a demand and request for increased security in the state. To them, the lives and property of the people don’t matter. What matters to them is a political consideration relating to the suppression of opposition. I don’t think that is the way to operate. You cannot ignore the security situation because of politics to the detriment of the collective interest and well-being of the people. They are simply politicising the security situation and it is unfortunate.
“Those that are supposed to be legislating on intensifying the security situation in the state to support the people to live in peace and harmony are now seeking the arrest of political opposition. I think it doesn’t add up at all. It is sad and unfortunate that the welfare of their people does not matter to them.”
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Muhammad Usman, also dismissed Malami’s petition, describing it as baseless and politically motivated.
Speaking at a press conference in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday, Usman said Malami’s claims were deliberately designed to incite fear and smear the reputation of both the government and the people of Kebbi State.
“Kebbi State is known across Nigeria as one of the most peaceful states. Any attempt to tarnish that record is not just an attack on the governor, but on our people. These allegations are not only false, but also a ploy to distract the administration from its developmental strides,” he said.
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