Political tensions are escalating in Kebbi State as former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and the administration of Governor Nasir Idris trade bitter accusations over governance, insecurity, corruption and political credibility, following Malami’s declaration of interest in the 2027 governorship contest under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
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What began as Malami’s formal entry into the race has rapidly deteriorated into a full-blown political confrontation, with both camps accusing each other of economic failure, poor governance, insecurity and political opportunism setting the stage for what analysts predict could be one of the most fiercely contested gubernatorial battles in the state’s history.
In a strongly worded statement dated May 10, 2026, and titled “Malami sneezes, and Kebbi State Government catches a cold,” the former minister accused Governor Idris’ administration of responding to his declaration with panic, personal attacks and unverified claims of achievement rather than addressing the substantive issues he raised.
“Yesterday, the Kebbi State Government issued a 1,500-word statement in response to my formal declaration of intent to contest the 2027 governorship election. The statement contained ad hominem attacks, unsubstantiated allegations and a list of unverified achievements,” Malami stated.
He went on to highlight what he described as alarming social and economic realities in the state, claiming that 67.6 per cent of children between the ages of six and 15 are out of school, while the net attendance rate stands at only 38 per cent figures he said rank among the worst in Nigeria.
Malami further alleged that more than 88 per cent of children in Kebbi State live in multidimensional poverty, lacking access to healthcare, nutrition, clean water and education, while 608 severely malnourished children reportedly died between January and September 2025.
One of the strongest points in Malami’s criticism was his claim that Kebbi State had received more than N1 trillion in federal allocations, internally generated revenue, loans and grants within the last three years particularly following the removal of fuel subsidy yet residents had seen little improvement in their living conditions.
“Despite these resources, there is no visible transformation in school enrolment, healthcare for malnutrition cases or the security of farmlands,” he said.
He accused the administration of failing to secure rural communities, citing persistent bandit attacks, kidnappings and the abduction of the Deputy Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly as evidence of a deteriorating security situation.
“The people of Kebbi State — farmers who have abandoned their lands, mothers who have lost children to malnutrition, and youths without jobs — will ultimately judge the government’s performance,” Malami declared.
He insisted his ambition was driven by public service, saying: “My declaration centres on restoring security, rebuilding public education, strengthening healthcare delivery, reviving agriculture, creating opportunities for young people and restoring dignity to governance.”
The Kebbi State Government, through the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yahaya Sarki, responded with an equally combative statement titled “Malami’s Entry into Kebbi Guber Race: A Wolf in Sheep’s Wool.”
While acknowledging his constitutional right to contest, the administration dismissed Malami’s ambition as politically opportunistic.
“We even welcome his ambition if only for its nuisance value,” the statement read.
Governor Idris himself dismissed Malami’s entry into the race as posing no threat to his administration, stating that the former AGF’s political influence was minimal and that “he has never won his own polling unit.”
The government accused Malami of contributing directly to many of the challenges he now condemns, noting that he served for eight years under former President Muhammadu Buhari in one of the most powerful offices in the country.
“People like him, who held sway in Abuja until three years ago, bear direct responsibility for many of the problems afflicting not just Kebbi State, but Nigeria at large,” the government stated.
The administration went further, alleging that Malami and other officials of the Buhari era enriched themselves while governance suffered.
“During the eight years Malami and his associates held power, they ruthlessly exploited the trust reposed in them and transformed themselves from near penury into overnight multibillionaires,” the statement alleged.
Defending Governor Idris’ record, the administration highlighted what it described as significant achievements in education, healthcare and infrastructure since assuming office.
It said thousands of classrooms had been constructed across the state, new schools established, and learning materials distributed to pupils. The government also claimed it recruited 2,000 teachers in a single exercise and sponsored additional personnel for training programmes.
In the health sector, the administration said all 31 general hospitals in the state were undergoing rehabilitation, with major facilities in Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, Yauri, Zuru and Bunza either completed or nearing completion.
“Modern medical equipment and advanced facilities have been procured and are being distributed to hospitals statewide,” the statement added, also pointing to ongoing improvements at Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital as evidence of progress.
Security has emerged as the central battleground in the growing political rivalry.
While Malami accused the state government of failing to protect rural communities and farmlands from bandit attacks, the government countered that insecurity worsened significantly during his tenure as Attorney-General under Buhari, when terrorism and banditry expanded across the North West.
“Throughout his time as the nation’s Chief Law Officer, Malami was rarely, if ever, heard forcefully speaking out against the insecurity ravaging his own state of origin,” the government stated.
Analysts believe security will remain a decisive factor in the contest, especially in northwestern Nigeria where communities continue to grapple with violent attacks, displacement and kidnappings.
Malami’s decision to contest under the ADC rather than the APC a party he dumped after years of membership has introduced a new dimension into Kebbi politics, which has traditionally been dominated by the ruling party.
Although the APC still controls the political structure in the state, political observers say Malami’s national profile, extensive political networks and grassroots influence could make the 2027 race more competitive than any previous governorship contest in Kebbi.
A political analyst based in Abuja, Dr. Musa Tukur, said the intensity of the exchange between both camps was itself revealing.
“When a government responds with that level of urgency to an aspirant’s declaration, it means the candidacy is being taken seriously,” he said.
Another political observer, Hauwa Garba, noted that voters would benefit more from substantive policy engagement than personal attacks.
“Instead of insults, Kebbi people want clear plans on schools, agriculture, roads, healthcare and jobs,” she said.
With party primaries still more than a year away and the governorship election nearly two years off, both camps appear determined to shape public opinion early.
Malami vowed to press on, insisting the state needed rescue from what he described as “empty propaganda and ineffective leadership.”
“There will be no retreat and no surrender in the collective struggle to rescue our state,” he declared.
The government responded with equal force, insisting that those who contributed to Nigeria’s past governance failures cannot now credibly present themselves as agents of change.
For many Kebbi residents, however, the central question may ultimately transcend rhetoric and political accusations: who can offer the most credible path toward security, economic growth and development in 2027?
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