A reported internal disagreement has emerged within the Kebbi State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over campaign strategy and the fate of its governorship candidate, Abubakar Malami. Sources within the party alleged the disagreement involves the governorship campaign council, members of the State Executive Council, and some candidates for National and State Assembly seats ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The tension was triggered after the maiden press conference of the campaign council led by its Director-General, Sani Tadurga. Tadurga flagged off campaigns at Azbir Hotel, Birnin Kebbi, questioning the utilisation of federal allocations by the present state administration. This drew a response from the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Abdullahi Zuru, who described the ADC event as a distraction from ongoing development projects.
Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (2015-2023), emerged as ADC governorship candidate in Kebbi in 2025. He is currently facing trial, with the EFCC prosecuting a 16-count alleged money laundering case and a separate N8.7bn case at the Federal High Court, Abuja, adjourned to June 2026.
Insiders alleged that some members considered the attack on the administration ill-timed, given visible unprecedented development achieved by Comrade Governor Nasir Idris and the uncertainty around the party’s governorship candidate. A section of the state executive suspects a hidden agenda and argues the campaign council should prioritize building public sympathy for the candidate.
As a result of the uncertainty of the governorship candidate, some National Assembly candidates have begun contingency consultations in case of withdrawal or disqualification of the governorship candidate. A dispute over the alleged replacement of some House of Representatives candidates through alleged forgery and impersonated withdrawal letters is currently before the Federal High Court, Birnin Kebbi.
The internal wrangling was further fuelled by an alleged expulsion from the party of a National Assembly candidate whose conduct and inciting utterances of his loyalists are believed to possess the potentiality of creating a negative image in the eyes of the public. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly set up a committee to investigate individuals, including Abubakar Malami, involved in alleged shady deals in respect of the Mambilla Hydro Electric Power project.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) commended the EFCC for the prompt action and called for sanctions against the former Minister found to have committed professional misconduct. The setting up of the committee was said to be a follow-up to the verdict of the International Arbitration Tribunal under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce in favour of the Nigerian government.
Key points
- The rift within the Kebbi State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is over campaign strategy and the fate of its governorship candidate, Abubakar Malami.
- Abubakar Malami is currently facing trial over alleged money laundering and other cases.
- The EFCC has set up a committee to investigate individuals, including Abubakar Malami, involved in alleged shady deals in respect of the Mambilla Hydro Electric Power project.
