The Kebbi State Government has criticised former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, over his decision to join the 2027 governorship race, accusing him of distorting facts about the state and attempting to shift responsibility for governance failures during his time in office.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Governor Nasir Idris’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yahaya Sarki, the state government said Malami’s ambition was within his constitutional rights but faulted the reasons he gave for seeking office.
“To start with, it is his inalienable right to contest for office and, for the record, we even welcome his ambition—if only for its nuisance value,” the statement read.
The government was reacting to comments credited to Malami in which he reportedly cited insecurity, poverty, poor education and economic hardship as reasons for entering the governorship race.
According to the state government, the former minister failed to acknowledge his role in the national administration that presided over many of the challenges currently facing the country.
“It is curious that he conveniently forgot that 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 statement said.
The government accused Malami and some former public officials of prioritising personal enrichment over governance, alleging that insecurity, poverty and economic hardship became deeply rooted due to years of “mismanagement and misguided priorities.”
It further claimed that many officials who served in the previous administration transformed themselves into “overnight multibillionaires” while the country battled worsening humanitarian and governance crises.
Responding to Malami’s criticism of conditions in Kebbi State, the government argued that the issues he highlighted were inherited by the current administration in 2023.
It also questioned his promise to declare a state of emergency on governance if elected governor.
READ ALSO: 2027: Malami Declares Kebbi Gov’ship Ambition, Promises Rescue Mission
“How can one of the principal architects of our current misfortune credibly present himself as the man to fix it?” the statement queried.
Defending the record of Governor Idris, the government listed several interventions in education, health, agriculture, roads and security.
According to the statement, thousands of classrooms have been constructed, new schools established and teaching materials supplied across the state, while over 2,000 teachers were recruited in a single exercise.
The government also said all 31 general hospitals in the state are undergoing rehabilitation, alongside upgrades of 21 primary healthcare centres.
On security, it accused Malami of remaining silent while banditry and terrorism escalated during his tenure as Attorney-General of the Federation.
The statement maintained that the present administration inherited a “battered system” and insisted that ongoing reforms under Governor Idris were gradually rebuilding public institutions in the state.