Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has inaugurated the Director-General and more than 600 members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Campaign Council in Kebbi State.
At the inauguration on Wednesday, Malami charged the campaign council to build a united, inclusive and disciplined political movement capable of mobilising support for all ADC candidates across the state.
He described the inauguration as more than the announcement of political appointments, saying it marked the establishment of a coordinated grassroots structure to advance the interests of the party and its candidates.
According to him, the council comprises members drawn from different communities, local government areas, senatorial districts and backgrounds, reflecting the diversity of Kebbi State and the ADC’s commitment to broad political representation.
Malami acknowledged the party’s senatorial candidates, including General Aminu Bande for Kebbi Central, Garba Maidoki for Kebbi South and Chiroman Kabi, Alhaji Mera, for Kebbi North.
He also recognised ADC candidates contesting seats in the House of Representatives, State House of Assembly and other elective positions across the state.
The former minister urged members of the campaign council to operate as a single political family rather than as competing structures driven by individual ambitions.
“This Campaign Council represents our collective ADC campaign. It is not about one candidate or one elective position.
From the governorship to the Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly, we must work as one political family,” Malami said.
He warned that tribalism, sectionalism and internal rivalry could weaken the party’s chances, stressing that no tribe, senatorial district, local government, ward or community should feel excluded from the campaign.
Malami also said genuine ADC members should not be marginalised because of their previous political affiliations or support for other aspirants.
He consequently urged party leaders and campaign officials to make reconciliation a central part of their responsibilities.
“Where there are disagreements, let us reconcile. Where there are grievances, let us listen. Where there is suspicion, let us rebuild trust. Our diversity must become our strength,” he said.
The former minister also introduced the principle of “One ADC, One Campaign”, warning members against publicly presenting a united front while privately working against one another.
He maintained that the success of every ADC candidate should be treated as a collective achievement and called for effective coordination among campaign structures at all levels.
“Different candidates, one ADC. Different communities, one Kebbi State. Different responsibilities, one common purpose,” Malami said.
He urged members to resolve disagreements through consultation and dialogue rather than allowing internal disputes to degenerate into public confrontations.
Malami further directed the campaign council to conduct its activities with dignity, discipline and respect for political opponents, communities and voters.
He cautioned members against ethnic insults, hate speech and attacks based on people’s backgrounds or political choices.
According to him, political contests were temporary, while the relationships that bind communities together would endure beyond elections.
“After the elections, we will still worship together, attend the same markets, celebrate together, mourn together and raise our children together. No political ambition is worth destroying those bonds,” he said.
Addressing the Director-General and members of the council, Malami said their appointments should be viewed as a call to service rather than a reward or conferment of status.
He tasked them with organising and mobilising supporters, reconciling aggrieved members, engaging citizens and taking the ADC’s message to every local government area, ward, community and polling unit across Kebbi State.
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Malami urged members to measure their contributions by the communities mobilised, disagreements resolved, citizens engaged and new supporters brought into the political movement rather than by the positions they occupy.
He said the inauguration marked the beginning of a major phase of grassroots mobilisation and political engagement across the state.
The former minister also called on members to return to their respective communities as bridge-builders and ambassadors of the ADC, strengthening grassroots structures and ensuring that all parts of Kebbi felt represented.
Reaffirming the values he expected to guide the campaign, Malami said the party would prioritise unity, cooperation, reconciliation, respect and service over personal interests.
“We choose unity over division. We choose cooperation over rivalry. We choose reconciliation over bitterness. We choose respect over insults. We choose service over personal interest,” he said.
Malami urged ADC members and supporters to rise above tribal, sectional and personal differences in pursuit of what he described as a collective vision for Kebbi State.
“Today is not a reward for work completed. Today is the beginning of the work. Let us arise above our differences.
Let us arise above tribalism and sectionalism. Let us arise together in service to our people. And together, let us make Kebbi State shine. Arise and Shine!” he added.