Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has formally announced his plan to contest the 2027 governorship election in Kebbi State, a north-western Nigerian state that has battled insecurity and agricultural decline in recent years.
Malami made this known during an interview with DCL Hausa, where he declared that his political structure remains strong across the state despite his recent departure from Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). He expressed optimism that voters would rally behind him once the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) begins permitting full political mobilisation.
“INEC guidelines don’t permit mobilisation yet, but when the time comes, you will see that the people of Kebbi are with us. I have agreed to contest, and there is no retreat. God willing, we are going to win. We won’t disappoint those who believe in us,” he said.
The former minister criticised the APC-led governments at both state and federal levels, accusing them of contributing to worsening economic and security conditions in northern Nigeria. He claimed that farmers—who form a major portion of Kebbi’s workforce—have abandoned farmlands due to recurring bandit attacks.
According to him, the collapse of agricultural industries such as rice milling is a direct consequence of policy failure. “Today, rice mills that operated for two decades have shut down because of bad policies that favour foreign companies,” Malami lamented.
He explained that his intention to run is rooted in a desire to “salvage Kebbi State” by addressing insecurity, reviving agricultural production, and defending the welfare of ordinary residents. He stressed that his ambition is “not for personal gain but a rescue mission.”
Malami resigned from the APC in July and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after what he described as “wide consultations and deep personal reflection”. He insisted the move was not motivated by personal frustration but by “love for our nation and concern for the hardship our people are facing daily.”
