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By Ola Muhammad, Birnin Kebbi
As the 2027 general elections approach, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) have begun showcasing their respective governorship aspirants in Kebbi State, setting the stage for what promises to be a keenly contested political battle.
While the APC is banking on the record of performance, integrity and welfare-oriented policies of its governorship candidate, Governor Nasir Idris, the ADC is counting on the political experience, national exposure and personal record of its candidate, Abubakar Chika Malami, (SAN,) a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice under the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
The emerging contest has raised questions among political stakeholders and residents about the candidates’ records in public service, their contributions to the development of the state and their capacity to address the needs of the electorate.
For many political observers, the election could ultimately become a contest between competing records of governance, contrasting development agendas and the ability of the candidates to convince voters that they deserve their mandate. Already, both parties have reportedly deployed campaign teams to the 225 political wards across the state’s 21 local government areas.
Of particular interest is Kebbi South Senatorial District, which comprises the Yauri and Zuru Emirates. The district is emerging as a potential battleground following the defection of the incumbent senator, Garba Musa Maidoki, from the APC to the ADC.
Despite Maidoki’s confidence in his political influence across the seven local government areas in the district, APC leaders believe that the developmental projects executed by Governor Idris, alongside the influence of key party stakeholders, could strengthen the ruling party’s position.
Among those expected to play significant roles in the APC’s campaign are the Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Hon. Salihu Maikasuwa Dangoje; the APC state chairman, Abubakar Kana Zuru; and retired General Muhammad Magoro, Secretary to the State Government,Alhaji Yakubu Bala, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction,Dr Tanko Sununu, among other party leaders.
Speaking on the APC’s chances in the state, the Special Adviser to Governor Idris on Communication and Strategy, Alhaji Abdullahi Idris Zuru, who is also from Kebbi South Senatorial District, expressed confidence that the governor would outperform candidates of opposition parties, including Malami.
He said the campaign had increasingly shifted towards grassroots mobilisation, where voters would assess the candidates and decide whom to support.
According to Zuru, the 2027 elections could differ from previous contests because of growing public awareness of citizens’ democratic rights and their expectations of political officeholders. He argued that voters were becoming more conscious of the distinction between public officials who had demonstrated commitment to public service and those whose records had attracted allegations of financial impropriety.
He said: “However, the public response to the approach of the 2027 electioneering campaigns may witness a departure from previous years, in view of the apparent increasing awareness among Nigerians of their right to decide their fate in democratic governance.
“It is common knowledge in the public domain that some ambitious and desperate politicians, believed to have accumulated questionable wealth and properties while holding public office, are coming to terms with the reality that deception under any guise will not change the people’s mindset in the present democratic dispensation.
“On the other hand, candidates with a track record of integrity and verifiable contributions to community development, as well as the creation of self-reliance opportunities, may have to slug it out with other political gladiators whose contributions to their communities remain in dispute or who are facing investigations and prosecution over allegations of questionable wealth.”
Zuru maintained that the Kebbi governorship election would principally be a contest between Governor Idris of the APC and Malami of the ADC.
He argued that the records of both candidates would significantly influence their electoral prospects.
According to him, Governor Idris had established a record of service through his career in the teaching profession and his leadership roles in the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
He described the governor as a philanthropist who had contributed to community development long before entering partisan politics.
Zuru also credited the Idris administration with achievements in infrastructure and socioeconomic development, which he said demonstrated the governor’s commitment to improving the state’s fortunes.
In contrast, he questioned Malami’s record of community development during his eight-year tenure as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. Zuru also raised allegations concerning the former minister’s wealth and investments, claiming that several properties and financial assets associated with Malami had attracted the attention of law enforcement agencies.
He alleged that more than 40 bank accounts had been closed and about 50 properties had been subjected to forfeiture proceedings in connection with investigations into the former minister’s assets.
Zuru further questioned the extent to which Malami had used his previous public positions to improve the lives of people in his community and Kebbi State generally.He suggested that the ownership, financing and circumstances surrounding the investments should be considered in assessing the former minister’s public record.
Summarising his position, he said the election would be a contest between a candidate whose supporters believe has demonstrated integrity and a rival whose record, in his view, raises questions that require answers.
He added: “Therefore, going by an objective and comparative analysis of the track records of integrity, selflessness and patriotism between Comrade Governor Nasir Idris and the former Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, in addition to their individual antecedents, it can be concluded that the former minister is no match for the governor in the 2027 elections.”
Zuru further argued that the electorate would distinguish between candidates based on their records of service, achievements and the credibility of their public image. He described the ADC’s emergence as a platform for Malami’s governorship ambition as an expression of personal political ambition, insisting that the former minister did not pose a significant threat to the APC. He concluded that Kebbi voters would favour continuity, integrity and demonstrated capacity.
In his reaction,the ADC, however, expressed confidence that Malami’s experience in public office, political connections, philanthropic activities and proposed development agenda would attract voters in the 2027 elections.The party argued that his years in national service had provided him with the exposure and administrative experience needed to govern Kebbi State.
Speaking on Malami’s behalf, the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Campaign Council, Mr Bello Abdullahi, said the former minister was an experienced political figure whose governorship ambition deserved serious consideration.
According to him, Malami’s background as a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice gave him an understanding of governance, public administration and the workings of government at the national level.
He said: “Abubakar Malami, SAN, is no political novice. As a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, he brings national exposure, political experience, governance expertise and extensive networks.
“These qualities make his governorship ambition serious and credible. He deserves a fair and objective assessment of his integrity. Allegations are not convictions; his record should be judged by verifiable facts rather than political sentiment or speculation, while taking into account his public-service responsibilities and experience.”
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Abdullahi maintained that Malami’s political influence should not be underestimated, arguing that electoral success depended on organisation, alliances, leadership and grassroots mobilisation.
He said the former minister’s experience, connections and public profile made him a significant political contender whose potential contribution to Kebbi State deserved consideration.
He urged ADC supporters to build a broad political base, defend Malami’s record with verifiable facts and engage respectfully with opposing views.
According to him, a credible policy programme and effective mobilisation would give Malami an opportunity to present his vision to the electorate and seek their mandate
While speaking on the chances of APC,the Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Hon. Salihu Maikasuwa Dangoje, and the APC senatorial candidate for Kebbi South, General (rtd)Jafaru Gejere, have also expressed confidence in the ruling party’s prospects in the district.Both politicians predicted that the APC would defeat the incumbent senator, Garba Musa Maidoki, who recently defected to the ADC.
Speaking to journalists about the APC’s chances in Kebbi South, Dangoje argued that the ruling party remained the strongest political platform in the district.
He attributed the party’s confidence to the administration’s development projects and the influence of its political leaders. Dangoje predicted that the APC would secure a substantial majority of votes across the Yauri and Zuru Emirates, which together constitute Kebbi South Senatorial District.
He cited the ongoing Koko-Mahuta-Dabai Road, which he said had remained abandoned for years before being rewarded by the Idris administration, as one of the projects likely to strengthen the party’s appeal. The Speaker expressed particular confidence in the APC’s prospects in Sakaba Local Government Area.
“If we are still alive till that time, Sakaba Local Government will vote massively for the APC, between 80 and 90 per cent. We are going to win the election,” he said.
Dangoje further predicted that the APC would win up to 95 per cent of the votes in Kebbi South, adding that he expected the party’s candidates to perform strongly across the district. He also expressed the belief that some opposition candidates might eventually withdraw from the race, although no evidence was provided to substantiate that prediction.
Similarly, the APC senatorial candidate for Kebbi South, General(rtd) Jafaru Gejere, said the electorate’s support for Governor Idris had been strengthened by projects that he believed had made a direct impact on people’s lives.
“As you can see, with clear evidence here and there and the massive turnout of our people, there is no doubt that our governor is in total control of the state. So, there is no point in saying that Senator Maidoki or any other candidate will take Kebbi South again,” he said.
Gejere added that the APC was confident of its grassroots support and believed that its record in government would translate into electoral gains in 2027.
Beyond Kebbi South, the APC appears confident of retaining its influence in Kebbi Central and Kebbi North Senatorial Districts.
The two districts are represented by Senators Muhammad Adamu Aliero and Yahaya Abdullahi, respectively, who returned to the ruling party after previously belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Their return to the APC has strengthened the party’s position in the two districts, which are regarded by party supporters as important electoral strongholds.
The APC’s state Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Isah Asalafi, said the party was confident of winning the various elective positions across the state, including the presidential election.
He attributed this confidence to the return of prominent political stakeholders to the party and what he described as its growing political strength.
Amid the emerging political contest, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Idris, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, has urged voters to look beyond campaign rhetoric and examine the records of all candidates seeking elective offices in 2027.
Reacting to questions and debates on social media concerning governance and the governorship contest, he said the electorate should demand clear answers from aspirants about their achievements in previous public positions.
He argued that the credibility of candidates should be assessed based on measurable accomplishments, policy proposals, implementation capacity and their ability to address the needs of the people. According to him, the administration of Governor Idris deserves a comprehensive assessment of its performance since assuming office on May 29, 2023.
He said the governor had pursued an ambitious development programme under the New Kebbi Agenda, with interventions spanning infrastructure, agriculture, education, healthcare, aviation, employment, security and workers’ welfare.
“For his supporters, the scale and breadth of these interventions constitute an important argument for continuity. They also provide a basis for challenging opposition politicians to move beyond criticism and present concrete alternatives capable of matching the expectations of Kebbi citizens,” he said.
Ahmed Idris maintained that individuals seeking to succeed the governor were entitled to pursue their political ambitions but should be prepared to explain how their experience and proposed policies would benefit the state.
He said voters had the right to ask aspirants what they had achieved in their previous positions, what practical solutions they were offering to Kebbi’s challenges and how they intended to finance their campaign promises.
He added that candidates should provide evidence of their capacity to deliver on their commitments rather than rely solely on political declarations.
“Governance is too important to be reduced to political slogans or social media arguments. The credibility of any candidate should be assessed against measurable achievements, the quality of ideas presented, the capacity to implement proposed policies and the ability to address the real needs of the people,” he said.
He concluded that these issues should form the basis of public debate as Kebbi State approaches the 2027 general elections.
With both the APC and ADC intensifying their political activities, the contest in Kebbi is shaping up to be a test of competing records, political influence, public credibility and development promises.
While the APC is emphasising Governor Idris’s performance and seeking to consolidate its political structures across the state, the ADC is presenting Malami’s national experience and political networks as assets that could appeal to voters.
