Kebbi Govt Hits Malami Over UNDP Poverty Report, Defends Idris Administration

The Kebbi State Government has faulted former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, SAN, over his reliance on a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) poverty report to criticise the state government, accusing the ADC governorship candidate of turning the state’s challenges into a political campaign issue.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, levelled the criticism at a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday, alleging that Malami was using the report to score political points ahead of the 2027 general elections rather than offering practical solutions to poverty and insecurity.

Ahmed-BK said the government recognised the economic hardship and security challenges confronting the country but accused the former minister of seeking political advantage from the difficulties faced by the people.

He questioned Malami’s criticism of the state’s poverty situation, noting that the former minister served under the late President Muhammadu Buhari during part of the period covered by the UNDP report.

According to the commissioner, the report covered Buhari’s first term and part of his second term, when Malami served as Attorney-General of the Federation. He alleged that policies and decisions taken during that administration contributed to the economic conditions reflected in the report.

Ahmed-BK also raised questions about alleged corruption-related issues involving the former minister, citing court proceedings concerning properties allegedly linked to him.

He claimed that one property reportedly ordered for confiscation in Birnin Kebbi could have generated enough resources to provide more than 1,000 boreholes across the state.

The commissioner argued that the legal proceedings and allegations involving Malami should be considered in assessing his criticism of the government’s handling of poverty. He further accused some former public office holders of pursuing elective offices to avoid accountability.

Commissioner disputes Malami’s security record

Ahmed-BK also accused Malami of failing to do enough to tackle insecurity in Kebbi during his time in the Federal Government, despite his senior position.

He referred to reports published in June 2025 about alleged killings in Tadurga Ward of the Zuru Emirate, saying the reported casualty figure of 200 deaths was later challenged by local security agencies, government officials and the Zuru Emirate Council.

“Malami’s reported figure of 200 deaths was subsequently disputed by local security agencies, government officials and the Zuru Emirate Council.

“The subsequent clarifications reportedly put the death toll at fewer than 30. Malami just used the incident for political purposes,” he said.

The commissioner maintained that Governor Nasir Idris’s administration had taken steps to improve security and strengthen the capacity of security agencies operating across the state.

He said the government had provided hundreds of operational vehicles and thousands of motorcycles to security agencies, alongside welfare support for soldiers, police officers, DSS and NSCDC personnel, hunters and vigilante groups.

According to Ahmed-BK, the governor had visited communities affected by attacks to sympathise with victims, provide relief and reassure residents of additional security measures.

He also said the administration had facilitated the establishment of forward operating bases and other military formations, including the 28 Armoured Brigade and Garrison in Birnin Kebbi, the 281 Tank Battalion in Yauri and the 381 Artillery Regiment in Kaoje.

The state government, he added, was procuring additional armoured platforms to support security operations.

Kebbi government outlines development agenda

Defending the administration’s broader performance, Ahmed-BK listed healthcare, education, roads, agriculture, employment, economic empowerment and workers’ welfare among its priorities.

He said the government had distributed free fertilisers and other farming inputs, supplied solar-powered and CNG-powered pumps for wet- and dry-season agriculture, distributed food items and recruited thousands of teachers.

He added that the administration had improved wages, paid scholarships and assisted students with registration and school fees in Nigeria and abroad. Cash-transfer interventions worth billions of naira had also been implemented, according to him.

On road infrastructure, Ahmed-BK said the government was working to address longstanding deficiencies that had affected farming and commercial activities.

He cited the Koko-Zuru Road as a key agricultural and economic route whose poor condition had hampered the movement of farm produce and other goods over the years.

The commissioner also highlighted the establishment of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Solid Minerals Development Agency, saying the institutions were created to regulate mining activities, protect residents’ interests and attract investment.

He disclosed that the government was holding advanced discussions with local and foreign investors, with agreements signed and credit facilities advanced towards prospective investments.

Despite listing these interventions, Ahmed-BK admitted that the administration had not fully resolved Kebbi’s poverty challenges. He argued that the scale of the problems required continued government action beyond its first three years in office.

The commissioner called on residents to support Governor Idris, popularly known as Kauran Gwandu, for another term, saying continuity would help ongoing projects and policies produce greater benefits.

“I urge the residents to give the administration another term, as continuity will enable ongoing projects and policies to deliver greater benefits to the state,” he pleaded.

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