The Kebbi State Government has criticized the African Democratic Congress Campaign Council for its recent appeal to review the appointments of 21 professors as Local Government Education Authorities' heads across the state. In a statement signed by Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Garba Dutsinmari, and Magatakardan Bagudo, Aminu Shehu, the government described the appeal as politically motivated. They urged the opposition party to focus on presenting its programs to the electorate instead.
The Kebbi State Government defended Governor Nasir Idris' record in the education sector, citing the declaration of a state of emergency on education, renovation of over 2,000 primary schools, recruitment of more than 2,000 teachers, and increased scholarships for Kebbi students. The government said these efforts aimed to introduce academic and intellectual leadership into basic education management across the state's 21 local government areas. The professors were appointed in November 2024 to head the Local Education Authorities.
The government questioned the ADC's focus on official vehicles for the professors, suggesting that the opposition should instead be concerned about measurable outcomes in the education sector. They asked why the ADC did not inquire about enrollment, out-of-school children reduction, or teacher performance. The exchange occurs amid increased political activities in Kebbi ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with the ADC fielding former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami as its candidate.
The ADC has been expanding its grassroots structure across Kebbi State, with its campaign council stating that its agenda would focus on education, healthcare, security, agriculture, and employment. Recently, the Jarkuka Youth Development Association expressed support for Malami and other ADC candidates, pledging to mobilize voters for the party. The Kebbi State Government has also stepped up its grassroots mobilization, with Governor Idris receiving support from the Kebbi State Hunters Association.
The Kebbi government criticized Malami's record during his eight years as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice under former President Muhammadu Buhari. They questioned his contributions to addressing challenges confronting Kebbi people, alleging that he did not adequately address these issues during his time in the Federal Executive Council. The government also accused him of using his federal position for personal gain and that of his associates.
The government highlighted Governor Idris' achievements in road construction, state secretariat, education, and payment of workers' salaries. They contrasted this with what they described as Malami's lack of tangible achievements for Kebbi people during his tenure as Attorney-General. The government urged the ADC campaign council to keep the 21 professors out of the political contest, arguing that their roles were administrative and educational rather than political.
The government challenged the ADC to present its policies directly to Kebbi voters instead of focusing on the professors and their official vehicles. They argued that if the ADC had a serious agenda for Kebbi, it should present it to the people instead of hiding behind the professors and vehicles. The latest exchange has intensified the political contest between the APC administration and Malami's ADC ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Key points
- The Kebbi State Government has criticized the ADC for seeking a review of the appointments of 21 professors as Local Government Education Authorities' heads.
- The government defended its education sector achievements under Governor Nasir Idris, citing a state of emergency on education and infrastructure development.
- The exchange is part of the intensifying political contest between the APC administration and the ADC ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
