Abubakar Malami And The Kebbi State Gubernatorial Race -By Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

A close friend of mine who read one of my articles on Abubakar Malami, the erstwhile Attorney-general of the federation and Minister of Justice (2025 – 2023) called and asked me about the chances of the embattled legal luminary of winning the governorship election in his state, Kebbi. And I told him unequivocally that he will win despite his current ordeal in the hands of the minions of the government. I told my curious friend who expressed fears about his chances given the harassment from security agencies that the harassment will turn to advantage in the end. The government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his APC team know about the stature and influence of Malami in the politics of the Kebbi State and that of the entire Northern political bloc and they are apprehensive about it and hence the harassment meant to distract and disorganize him.

There are many reasons why Abubakar Malami will win the Kebbi gubernatorial seat. The first reason is his personality, past accomplishments and service to his people. At the national level, Malami performed creditably well as the minister of Justice. And in his home state, he identified with his people and touched the lives of the people in many positive ways through acts of philanthropy. He is a grassroots man who is close to his people. He was a co-founder of Khadimiyya for Justice Development Initiative (KJDI), an NGO dedicated to the advancement of human society through fostering access to justice and investment in human capital development. Since its formation, the organization has worked to support the weak and the vulnerable by giving them essential items and cash donations. They provided water supply by digging over 200 boreholes in rural communities. They also donated cash and relief materials to victims of flood disaster and medical care for the aged and sick and employment opportunities for youths. While some Nigerian politicians were hoarding palliatives meant for the poor during the COVID-19 pandemic in secret warehouses as revealed during the ENDSARS protest, Malami, the grassroots man was working for his people distributing relief materials; working for youth empowerment and poverty alleviation.

As I have observed earlier thus: Malami’s emergence as the gubernatorial candidate of the ADC in spite of his travails in the hands of the security agencies is an indication that his people see this as an opportunity to repay him for his many good deeds to his state and to allow him to continue the good works that he has already begun.

The Nigeria politics is not based on ideology. The electorates vote personalities and not party and in the Kebbi where Malami comes from, Malami has greater accomplishments and personality more than his opponent and it seems the ruling APC knows this truth and hence the fight to prevent the opposition from fielding credible candidates. Moreover, the people of Kebbi are not happy with the APC government over the ordeal of Malami in the hands of the anti-graft agencies; something they have come to see as political persecution and this may earn Abubakar Malami many sympathy and protest votes.

Another thing that may work in the favor of Abubakar Malami is the fact that the camp of the incumbent governor of the state, Nasir Idris whom he is contesting against seems to be in disarray following his decision to dump his deputy, Senator Umar Tafida in favor of another running mate, Alhaji Ibrahim Augie. Besides, the people of Kebbi as in other states of the federation now see the APC as a total failure and a burden to the nation and are willing to vote them out at all costs. Nigerians are willing to vote and ensure that their votes count, this time and Kebbi State is not left out of this.

Again, my friend had asked what if the APC-led federal government uses its power and dubious legal process to deny Malami victory. But, I told him that Malami is a bright legal mind. And as a two-time Attorney-general, he knew the tricks, the intrigues and the legal loopholes and would not allow them to fool him. Recall that even as he battles the EFCC, he was able to win the legal suit filed by one Hon. Abdulrazak Isa Iko challenging his eligibility and emergence as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate for Kebbi State.

As a patriot, a two-time minister, a philanthropist, a grassroots man, a public servant and a legal luminary with track records of achievement in public service, professional accolades as well as service to humanity, Abubakar Malami stands shoulder higher than his opponent in the contest for the Kebbi State Government House. And as the countdown begins, we hope that the wish of the electorate will prevail.

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed
hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com
An actress, social activist, politician
London, UK