Kebbi State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using anti-graft agencies and other state institutions to persecute its governorship candidate and former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), describing the ongoing legal action against him as politically motivated.

The party, however, maintained that it supports lawful investigation and prosecution of any individual where there is credible evidence of wrongdoing, insisting that the rule of law and due process must be respected.

In a statement jointly signed by the Kebbi State Chairman of the ADC, Engr. Sufiyanu Bala, and Chairman of the party’s Elders Forum, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Sambawa, the party alleged that the prosecution of Malami was part of a broader campaign to intimidate opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the statement, the APC-led government is pursuing a strategy aimed at making opposition politics “unattractive at best and unbearable at worst” in the build-up to the next general elections.

The party said, “While the Kebbi State chapter of the African Democratic Congress is not averse to lawful investigation, arraignment and prosecution of any suspect, we are not blind to what we consider the ongoing political persecution, suppression, blackmail and intimidation of opposition figures across the country.”

The ADC declared that no amount of pressure or intimidation would distract it from its objective of unseating the APC through the ballot in 2027.

It further alleged that the petition, investigation, arrest, detention, and prosecution of Malami had been carefully orchestrated to achieve a predetermined political objective.

“The arrest and detention of a prominent citizen over a bailable offence, the search of his properties in his absence and the valuation of his family’s assets all point to an attempt to tarnish his reputation,” the statement said.

The party argued that portraying all of Malami’s assets as proceeds acquired while in public office ignored his professional career and personal accomplishments before his appointment as Attorney-General of the Federation.

Expressing confidence in the judicial process, the ADC said it believed the appellate courts would ultimately ensure justice in the matter.

The party reaffirmed its support for Malami, describing him as its leader in Kebbi State and its standard-bearer for the 2027 governorship election.

“We wish to state without equivocation that all members of the ADC in Kebbi State are solidly behind our party leader and gubernatorial candidate, come rain or shine. No amount of blackmail, harassment, intimidation, name-calling or media trial will weaken our resolve to work with Nigerians to democratically vote the APC out of office at all levels in the 2027 general elections,” the statement added.

The ADC also described the legal and political challenges confronting its leaders as sacrifices it was prepared to endure in its campaign for what it called the restoration of democratic governance in Nigeria.

Malami served as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice between 2015 and 2023 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. He is currently a leading figure in the ADC in Kebbi State and is widely regarded as one of the opposition’s prominent political figures in the state.

His ongoing investigation and prosecution have attracted significant political attention, with the ADC alleging political victimisation, while government agencies have consistently maintained that their actions are guided by the law and are part of the fight against corruption.

The latest statement comes as political parties intensify consultations, realignments and preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections. (Nigerian Tribune)

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