Idris, Malami camps battle over ex-minister’s suitability for Kebbi job

Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris and African Democratic Congress governorship candidate, Abubakar Malami

Mallam Abdullahi Idris, the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, has described his principal as a more accomplished political candidate than the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate, Abubakar Malami.

The SA Communication and Strategy who made the remark ahead of the 2027 governorship election, on Thursday, in a statement titled, “Kebbi 2027: Why Comrade Governor Idris Stands Head and Shoulders Above Malami,” asserted that the election would ultimately be determined by voters at the grassroots.

Idris, argued that increasing political awareness among Nigerians would make it difficult for candidates to win support through what he described as deception or unsubstantiated claims.

According to him, Governor Idris’ background as a professional teacher, former national president of the Nigerian Union of Teachers and his experience in the Nigeria Labour Congress had prepared him for public leadership.

“Comrade Governor Nasir Idris and the All Progressives Congress candidate has excelled in his field of human endeavour as a professionally trained teacher,” he said.

The governor’s aide also credited the administration with executing infrastructure and socio-economic development projects across the state, describing its achievements as unprecedented.

He contrasted the governor’s political background with that of Malami, who served as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice between 2015 and 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The statement, however, focused extensively on the legal proceedings involving properties linked to the former minister.

It recalled that in July, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the final forfeiture of 48 properties linked to Malami, his family members and companies associated with the assets. The court held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had established the reasonable suspicion required under the civil forfeiture proceedings and that the respondents had failed to rebut the allegation that the properties were acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.

The forfeited properties included assets in Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna and Abuja, among them educational, residential, commercial and hospitality properties.

However, Malami has rejected the implication that the judgment represents the end of the matter, saying he disagreed with aspects of the ruling and had instructed his lawyers to challenge it at the Court of Appeal. He also urged the public not to draw premature conclusions while the appellate process was ongoing.

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Similarly, the Kebbi ADC has also rejected the suggestion that the legal proceedings should be used as a political indictment of its candidate. In July, the party accused the federal government of using judicial processes to intimidate Malami and weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.

The party said it supported lawful investigations but opposed what it described as the use of state institutions to intimidate opposition figures.

Against that background, Idris said Malami’s legal battles raised questions about his suitability to seek the governorship, alleging that the former minister had not made verifiable contributions to Kebbi’s development during his years in federal office.

He also referenced businesses and institutions in Birnin Kebbi allegedly linked to Malami, including hotels, schools, a radio station and agricultural investments.

The governor’s aide said the ADC campaign council had concentrated on allegations concerning the Kebbi Government, while, in his view, failing to adequately address the proceedings involving its candidate.

He stressed, “The people of Kebbi State are wiser and know the difference between a leader who built his name through services to humanity and a man whose name is now synonymous with forfeiture notices in the national dailies.”

However, that characterisation is disputed by Malami and the ADC, who have maintained that the legal proceedings should not be treated as a final determination of the former minister’s criminal culpability. Malami has denied wrongdoing and is challenging the forfeiture ruling through the appellate process.

The ADC had earlier accused the federal government of politically persecuting Malami because of his decision to contest the 2027 governorship election. The party said the timing of the proceedings raised concerns about whether anti-corruption institutions were being applied impartially, while insisting that investigations and prosecutions should be conducted fairly regardless of political affiliation.

Malami, meanwhile, has publicly framed the ADC campaign around reconciliation, unity and issue-based politics. At the inauguration of the party’s campaign council in August, he called for a coordinated grassroots campaign involving communities across the state.

The ADC has also identified healthcare, education, security, agriculture, youth employment and tourism among its campaign priorities.

Out correspondent reports that with the two camps now taking their messages to communities across Kebbi, the 2027 contest is increasingly featuring competing claims over governance records, development priorities, political experience and the legal controversies surrounding one of the leading opposition candidates.