By Abdullahi Tukur
The Kebbi State Government has criticised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, and former Attorney General of the federation Abubakar Malami, (SAN) over his alleged attempt to exploit a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) poverty report to discredit the administration of Governor Nasir Idris and score political points ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmed-BK, stated this on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi while reacting to Malami’s recent press briefings on poverty, insecurity and water scarcity in the state.
The Commissioner accused the former Attorney-General of the Federation of selectively presenting the report, which reportedly classified Kebbi among Nigeria’s poorest states, as evidence of the alleged failure of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government, without adequately considering the historical context of the data or the interventions currently being implemented by the state government.
He maintained that the government would not accept what he described as a politically motivated attempt to portray Kebbi as a state without progress, pointing to ongoing economic empowerment programmes, investments in healthcare infrastructure, rehabilitation and equipping of hospitals, and sustained interventions in the education sector.
Ahmed BK described it as unfortunate that a prominent indigene of Kebbi would use the hardship of his own people as a political weapon rather than acknowledge the historical factors contributing to poverty and engage constructively with efforts to address the challenge.
“The question is not whether poverty exists in Kebbi; the question is what caused it, who had the opportunity to address it, and what is being done today to overcome it. Poverty is a serious social challenge, not a political trophy to be brandished for electoral advantage,” Ahmed-BK said.
The commissioner further questioned Malami’s moral authority to present himself as a credible alternative, given his prominent position in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, during which, he argued, poverty, insecurity and economic hardship remained significant national concerns.
He challenged Malami to explain what he achieved during his years in federal government to improve the living conditions of Kebbi residents, arguing that anyone who occupied a position of considerable influence must also be prepared to account for the outcomes of the period in which he served.
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Ahmed-BK also questioned the period covered by the UNDP data being cited by Malami, arguing that historical poverty statistics should not be presented as a definitive assessment of the performance of the current administration without examining their reference period, methodology and subsequent developments.
He said the present government should be assessed on the basis of verifiable achievements, policy interventions and measurable outcomes rather than what he described as the selective use of statistics for political propaganda.
The commissioner also raised questions about allegations of corruption and property acquisitions associated with Malami, insisting that public officeholders must be held accountable for their stewardship. He called for any such allegations to be addressed through the appropriate legal and institutional processes, rather than allowing political rhetoric to replace due process.
On insecurity, Ahmed-BK recalled the controversy surrounding Malami’s reported claim in June 2025 that about 200 people had been killed in Tadurga Ward of Zuru Emirate. He said subsequent statements attributed to local security authorities, local government officials and the Zuru Emirate Council disputed the reported casualty figure, placing the number of deaths significantly lower.
The commissioner maintained that reports of insecurity must be handled with accuracy, sensitivity and respect for victims and their families, warning against the circulation of unverified casualty figures that could heighten public anxiety or politicise human suffering.
He also questioned Malami’s record on security during his years in federal government, arguing that his present expressions of concern would carry greater weight if accompanied by a clear account of what he did to support communities affected by banditry while he held public office.
In contrast, Ahmed-BK said Governor Nasir Idris had made security a priority through logistical support for security agencies, improved operational welfare and direct engagement with communities affected by attacks.
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The commissioner urged Malami and other political actors to move beyond the selective use of statistics and present verifiable policy alternatives capable of addressing poverty, insecurity, unemployment and inadequate access to essential services.
He also called on the people of Kebbi State to assess political claims critically, examine available evidence and judge the current administration by its record of performance, accountability and commitment to public welfare.