The government of Kebbi State has described the defection of former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as politically inconsequential and of no concern to the people or government of the state.
According to Ahmed Idris, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Nasir Idris, Malami never contributed any meaningful value to the incumbent administration till the time he left the ruling party.
He stressed that Governor Idris has already cemented his popularity across Kebbi through impactful governance, making any political shift by Malami insignificant.
“Well, the defection of the former Attorney General is not something that the people or the government of Kebbi State will be unhappy about. In fact, we are happy he left because he didn’t add any value to our administration.
“Our governor is already well-grounded in the minds of the people, and his achievements speak volumes. In fact, the people of Kebbi State are so impressed with him that they want him to continue after eight years or even go to Abuja to become the president of this country,” the governor’s spokesman declared in an interview with Daily Trust.
He further described Malami as lacking electoral influence in Kebbi State, insisting that he has never been able to deliver his polling unit.
“As for Malami, he has no political integrity in Kebbi State. He has never even won his own polling unit in any election, let alone the majority of votes across the state. So, his defection means nothing to us,” Idris said.
“We are not worried because he has no impact or value.”
Coalition Driven By Ambition, Not Service
On Malami’s involvement in the growing opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections, Idris argued that such movements are driven by personal ambition rather than public service.
“If you look at the calibre of people who defected, whether from APC or PDP, they’re doing it purely for selfish interests, not for the people,” he noted.
Idris also alleged that Malami’s attempts to build local support have faltered, pointing to complaints from young constituents who were abandoned after being invited to strategy meetings.
“Some youths were invited for a meeting by Malami’s people about a new movement. In the end, they were abandoned. He couldn’t even support them. Some of them came to me and complained,” he said.
The CPS praised Governor Idris for his inclusive leadership style, highlighting appointments given to non-indigenes, including himself, a Nupe man from Niger State.
“He doesn’t discriminate whether you’re Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Benin, it doesn’t matter. I’m not even from Kebbi State; yet he picked me as his Chief Press Secretary. That shows the inclusivity of his leadership,” Idris said.
He listed projects such as the completion of the state secretariat, renovation of palaces, purchase of vehicles for traditional rulers, and free distribution of over 200 trucks of fertiliser as evidence of the administration’s developmental strides.
According to Idris, the governor has also tackled security head-on by establishing operational bases in previously volatile communities like Shanga and Yauri, which had become unsafe for farming or even peaceful sleep.
“Today, those areas are safer… He purchased over 200 trucks of fertiliser and distributed them for free,” he added.
“Malami should rethink his decision”
Concluding his statement, the Governor’s spokesperson urged the former AGF to reconsider his political realignment, reminding him of the platform that shaped his political rise.
“My advice to Malami is that he should rethink his decision. Leaving the APC is a wrong move. Malami benefited from this party and grew politically under APC. He should have stayed loyal.”
“No matter what anyone does in Kebbi today, they can’t win against the goodwill, the performance, and the legacy of my principal. He has touched the lives of the masses, and that’s what truly counts,” he stressed.