BIRNIN KEBBI — In a political move that has sent shockwaves through the Northwest geopolitical zone, the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has officially entered the race for the 2027 governorship of Kebbi State. Shifting away from his long-term political home, the former justice minister has secured the governorship nomination form of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), signaling a major realignment in the state’s political landscape.
Malami made the formal announcement in a strongly-worded statement issued on Friday in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital. The declaration marks a significant departure from his previous role in the federal executive, as he now seeks to lead his home state out of what he describes as a catastrophic decline in governance and security.
A Scathing Assessment of Kebbi’s Current State
The former AGF did not mince words in his assessment of the current administration’s performance. Malami stated that he could no longer remain a silent observer while Kebbi State "sinks deeper into insecurity, poverty, educational collapse, and economic hardship." He characterized the current situation in the state as one of the most severe humanitarian and governance crises in modern Nigerian history.
In a data-driven critique of the state's social welfare status, Malami highlighted staggering statistics regarding the youth population. According to his findings, more than 67 percent of children between the ages of six and 15 are currently out of school in the state—a figure that threatens the long-term human capital of the region. Furthermore, he claimed that over 88 percent of children in Kebbi are living in multidimensional poverty, lacking basic access to nutrition, clean water, and shelter.
The most harrowing part of Malami’s declaration focused on the health of the state’s youngest citizens. He alleged that hundreds of severely malnourished children lost their lives within a nine-month window in 2025 alone. He described the healthcare system as being in a state of terminal decay, noting that maternal mortality rates in Kebbi remain among the highest in Nigeria.
"Malaria continues to ravage children under five, while countless pregnant women in our rural communities are left to their fate without access to basic antenatal care," Malami stated. "This is not just a failure of policy; it is a failure of humanity."
Insecurity and Economic Paralysis
Turning his attention to the escalating violence in the region, the ADC aspirant raised an alarm over the state of public safety. He asserted that insecurity has completely overwhelmed many parts of Kebbi State, particularly the rural agrarian belts.
"Communities are under constant attack from bandits, innocent citizens are being kidnapped for ransom on a near-daily basis, and our farmers—the backbone of our economy—are abandoning their ancestral lands out of fear," Malami lamented. He added that the local economy is in a state of collapse as businesses close their doors under the weight of fear and pervasive uncertainty.
Malami accused the incumbent state government of "misplaced priorities," alleging that while critical sectors like security and education deteriorate, the administration remains focused on projects that do not alleviate the suffering of the common man. "This is not the Kebbi we deserve. This is not the future our children deserve," he declared.
The ADC Platform: A New Direction
The decision to run on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is viewed by political analysts as a strategic maneuver to distance himself from the internal frictions of the major parties and present himself as a "third force" alternative. By securing the ADC form, Malami has effectively declared a "state of emergency on misgovernance" in the state, positioning himself as a reformist leader.
"My mission is clear," Malami affirmed. "I am entering this race to restore security, rebuild our broken public education system, strengthen healthcare delivery, and revive our agricultural sector. We must create opportunities for our young people and return dignity to the act of governance."
Malami emphasized that his campaign would be built on the pillars of accountability and sustainable development. He called for an end to what he described as an "era of empty propaganda and ineffective leadership," promising instead a government that is transparent in its dealings and measurable in its results.
The Road to 2027
As the former Attorney-General begins his campaign across the 21 local government areas of Kebbi, his entry is expected to drastically alter the political calculus for 2027. His legal background, federal experience, and the resources associated with his high-profile career make him a formidable contender, despite running on an alternative party ticket.
The incumbent administration and other political actors in Kebbi have yet to issue a formal response to Malami's allegations of malnutrition-related deaths and educational collapse. However, the discourse in the state has already shifted, with residents now debating the veracity of Malami’s statistics and the viability of his proposed "restoration" agenda.
With his declaration, Malami has set the stage for what promises to be one of the most hotly contested governorship races in the North. "Together, we will rebuild Kebbi into a safer, stronger, and more prosperous state for all," Malami concluded, urging his supporters to mobilize for a "governance revolution" at the polls.
Do you find Malami's shift to the ADC surprising given his long-standing ties to the federal government, or does it signal a wider trend of prominent figures seeking alternative platforms for the 2027 cycle?
