Malami Reveals What Allegedly Happened When Atiku and Other ADC Leaders Arrived in Kebbi

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has revealed what allegedly happened when former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and other African Democratic Congress (ADC) leaders arrived in Birnin Kebbi for the party’s presidential campaign flag-off on Thursday. Malami accused political thugs of attacking members of the campaign convoy, destroying media equipment and using tear gas around areas occupied by the visiting delegation.

Malami, who is the ADC governorship candidate in Kebbi State, made the allegations in a statement issued on Friday through his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka. He condemned the reported incidents and called for an impartial investigation into the attacks and alleged intimidation of party members.

The former minister said the incident occurred during the ADC presidential campaign flag-off, which attracted Atiku and other national leaders of the opposition party. He expressed concern over what he described as attempts to intimidate opposition members and disrupt their political activities.

Malami warned against the use of political influence or government institutions to harass members of opposition parties. He maintained that any involvement of government institutions or security agencies in the alleged attacks would be unacceptable and should be investigated.

He also called for an independent investigation into the demolition of the Malami Pressure Group headquarters along Sani Abacha Bypass in Birnin Kebbi. According to him, the circumstances surrounding the demolition raised concerns that required transparency and accountability.

The ADC governorship candidate said the Kebbi State Government’s denial of involvement and its explanation that the demolition resulted from a private ownership dispute did not remove the need for an impartial investigation. He insisted that those responsible for the incident should be identified.

Malami further argued that political disagreements should never become an excuse for intimidation, destruction of property or suppression of lawful opposition. He noted that the Constitution guaranteed citizens freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

Beyond the allegations surrounding the campaign, the former justice minister accused the Kebbi State Government of failing to give adequate attention to the security and economic challenges confronting residents.

He identified banditry, displacement, poverty, food insecurity and disruptions to agricultural activities as major problems affecting the state.

Malami cited the National Emergency Management Agency’s humanitarian intervention in March 2026 for victims of banditry in Shanga, Yauri and Bunza.

He said farmers needed protection, children deserved quality education, families required affordable food, while young people needed employment opportunities.

Malami urged the Kebbi State Government, security agencies and political stakeholders to avoid actions capable of triggering violence. He also appealed to ADC supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding.

However, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ahmed Idris, denied the allegations, insisting that the government did not intimidate the visiting delegation.

Malami claimed that ADC supporters were responsible for destroying a government billboard, adding that the party members held their programme and left without government interference.