The Kebbi State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for calm among its members following the recent return of former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami to the state, while simultaneously framing his ongoing legal challenges as symptomatic of wider governance issues under the ruling party.
In a statement released on Tuesday, ADC Publicity Secretary Habibu Abubakar Sambo described Malami’s return, which coincided with a supporters’ gathering, as a sign of persistent public faith in judicial processes. The party praised Malami’s “patience, dignity, and composure” during his period in custody, stating his reappearance “marks the end of a challenging period and reaffirms the hope that justice and due process will prevail.”
Concurrently, the ADC urged restraint, asking its members and all Kebbi residents to uphold peace and democratic values amid what it termed heightened political tensions. The statement included a direct critique of the state’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), vowing that the ADC would challenge its leadership to prevent future governance “blunders” in forthcoming political contests.
Malami’s presence in Kebbi occurs against the backdrop of multiple active legal proceedings. He faces charges spanning alleged terrorism financing, illegal firearm possession, and an N8.7 billion fraud and money laundering case. During a recent hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, prosecution witnesses provided testimony concerning financial transactions tied to a hotel account and loan facilities. Malami attended the session with his wife; their son later joined the proceedings before the matter was briefly stood down.
These cases are scheduled to continue in the coming weeks. The ADC’s commentary strategically links a prominent national figure’s local reception and his protracted court battles to the party’s opposition narrative in Kebbi State, positioning itself as a corrective alternative ahead of future elections. The situation underscores the intersection of high-profile litigation, political mobilization, and regional party dynamics in Nigeria.
