By James Orji
Abubakar Malami, Attorney General of the federation and Minister of Justice is set to resign from his position ahead the governorship election next year.
After several months of speculation, the nation’s number one law officer, on Monday, confirmed that he will contest the governorship election in Kebbi state.
But the AGF cannot contest the election without first resigning from his position, according to the Electoral Act recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, which prevents government appointees from contesting election without first resigning from office.
Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act 2022 says: “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”
A federal high court in Umuahia, Abia state had four weeks ago ordered the attorney-general of the federation to delete the section from the amended electoral act. This is yet to be done even as the National Assembly warned that it would challenge the ruling in the court.
“What this means is that any government appointee at state and federal level must resign before contesting any election in line with the Act signed by President Buhari,” Akin Ibidapo, a legal practitioner said in Lagos.
On Monday some commissioners in Katsina state resigned their appointments in preparation for next year’s election. Also in Delta state, some top aides of Governor Okowa, including his chief of staff have resigned from the administration.
Declaring his intention to contest the Kebbi governorship election, Malami said he will bank on his people support to win the election.
“If God in His mercies permit, and all goes well, I will as a politician contest the governorship of Kebbi state. I am seeking your support,” he said.
He said further that: “I want to announce that I will contest indeed and as such I am counting on your prayers and support so that we can all work and survive the race together. I have no history of betrayal and I won’t betray you people. I will work for you.
In 2014, Malami was a governorship aspirant under the All Progressives’ Congress, APC but lost the ticket to the incumbent, Abubakar Bagudu. He was later appointed by President Buhari as AGF.
The Attorney General of the Federation was appointed into his current position by President Buhari in 2015. He was born on 17 April 1967 in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN obtained his First School Leaving Certificate, FSLC from Nassarawa Primary School, Birnin Kebbi. He proceeded to College of Arts and Arabic Studies for his secondary education.
He obtained a degree in law from the Usmanu Danfodiyo University in 1991 and was called to Bar in 1992.
In 1994, Malami obtained a Master Degree in Public Administration from the University of Maiduguri.
The AGF has been a close ally of President Buhari since they were both members of defunct Congress for progressives Change.
