The Kebbi State Government has criticised former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, over his recent comments on the condition of the state following his entry into the 2027 governorship race.
The government, in a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Nasir Idris, Yahaya Sarki, accused Malami of distorting facts about insecurity, poverty, education, and governance in Kebbi State.
The reaction followed Malami’s recent declaration after securing the African Democratic Congress, ADC, governorship nomination form, where he alleged that Kebbi was facing worsening insecurity, economic hardship, educational decline, and poor healthcare.
Responding to the claims, the state government said Malami had a constitutional right to contest for office but faulted what it described as “a litany of falsehoods” used to justify his ambition.
The government argued that many of the challenges highlighted by the former minister became deeply rooted during the administration in which he served as Attorney-General of the Federation.
According to the statement, individuals who held public office at the federal level during that period should bear responsibility for some of the governance and economic problems currently affecting the country.
The government also accused Malami and some former public officials of failing to address insecurity and poverty while in office, alleging that national challenges worsened under their watch.
It further described his declaration of a “state of emergency on misgovernance” in Kebbi as contradictory, questioning how a former top government official could now present himself as a reformer.
The statement said the current administration had undertaken projects across education, healthcare, agriculture, road infrastructure, and security.
On healthcare, the statement said rehabilitation works were ongoing in general hospitals across the state, while some primary healthcare centres were being upgraded.
Speaking on security, the state government alleged that banditry and terrorism expanded significantly during Malami’s time in federal office, accusing past leaders of failing to tackle the crisis effectively.
The statement maintained that the Idris administration inherited governance and infrastructure challenges in 2023 and had continued implementing reforms in the state.
