Malami Dares FG, Picks ADC’s Governorship Forms Amidst Multiple Court Prosecutions

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

In a bold and eloquent practical demonstration of his earlier refrain” no retreat, no surrender” in reference to his perceived persecution by the powers-that-be over his political preferences, former Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN,  on Saturday May 9, 2026, procured the expression of interest and nomination forms for the 2027 Kebbi state gubernatorial contest.

Malami, who has been facing inter-agency investigations and prosecutions alongside his wife Asabe, and son Abdulaziz, over charges bordering on alleged money laundering, diversion of public funds, abuse of office and illegal possession of firearms arms only regained his freedom after several weeks in Custodial Centre in Abuja mid March, 2026.

While the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting the late President Mohammadu Buhari’s era Minister of Justice over multiple count charges bordering on alleged diversion of over N8.7 billion public funds ,and illegal acquisition of about 57 choice properties worth about N 213 billion ,the Department of State Service DSS also arraigned him  on charges relating to alleged illegal possession of firearms.

Instructively, all the multiple investigations and prosecutions surfaced immediately after Malami signaled his interest in contesting for the Kebbi state topmost job on the platform of the now fragmented opposition Coalition platform, the African Democratic Congress ADC.

While addressing his supporters immediately after regaining his freedom, mid- March, Malami, who publicly blamed his travails on his political choices, however, vowed not to succumb to orchestrated blackmail, and intimidation, noting that he will neither retreat nor surrender as being expected by his traducers.

In a statement posted on his official site on Saturday, the former AGF informed that his decision to throw his hat into the ring, derived from the unmitigated misgovernance and purposeless leadership ongoing in Kebbi State.

He noted that it has become extremely impossible to keep silent in the face of worsening insecurity, abject poverty, educational decline, and the excruciating economic hardships ravaging the state.

According to him, besides the serious challenges of insecurity and economic stagnation, Kebbi State is presently witnessing severe governance and humanitarian deficits.

Particularly, Malami expressed serious concern over the astronomical increase in the number of out-of-school children, the growing level of poverty, malnutrition and poor access to adequate healthcare services.

While estimating over 67 percent of Kebbi children to be out-of-school, the former AGF claimed that more than 88 percent of the people live in multi-dimensional poverty.

He expressed regret that the mainstay of the State’s economy- agriculture – has suffered severe disruptions, and neglect in the face of the security challenges across the State.

According to him, banditry, kidnappings for ransom, and other unchecked criminal activities ,have displaced farmers, a development that has inevitably brought about a debilitating decline in the economic activities of the state.

He assured of his commitment to accountability, sustainable development and transparent public service, with a promise to reposition Kebbi state in elected.