By Ghazali Ibrahim
Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has formally entered the race for the 2027 Kebbi State governorship election after obtaining the nomination form of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Malami announced his decision in a statement shared on his social media platforms on Saturday, citing worsening insecurity, deepening poverty, weak healthcare services, declining education standards, and growing economic hardship in the state as key reasons for his ambition.
He described Kebbi as facing what he termed one of the most severe humanitarian and governance crises in Nigeria, backing his claims with figures on out-of-school children, multidimensional poverty, maternal mortality, malnutrition, and insecurity.
According to the former minister, more than 67 percent of children aged between six and 15 are currently out of school, while over 88 percent are said to be living in multidimensional poverty.
Raising alarm over the state of healthcare, Malami noted that maternal mortality remains high, with many rural communities lacking access to antenatal care and other essential health services.
On security, he said several communities continue to suffer attacks from bandits and kidnappers, forcing farmers to abandon their farmlands and leaving businesses to operate under constant threat.
Malami also accused the current administration of pursuing misplaced priorities at a time when residents are struggling with hardship and insecurity.
Declaring what he called a “State of Emergency on Misgovernance” in Kebbi, the ADC aspirant promised that, if elected, his administration would focus on strengthening security, improving education, revitalising agriculture, enhancing healthcare delivery, and empowering young people.
He said his candidacy is rooted in a commitment to service, accountability, and sustainable development, insisting that ineffective leadership and “empty propaganda” must give way to purposeful governance.
Malami further urged the people of Kebbi State to rally behind his vision of rebuilding the state into a safer and more prosperous society.
“There will be no retreat and no surrender in the collective struggle to rescue our state,” he said.
