The Kebbi State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared its support for former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
It described his ongoing prosecution as politically motivated and insisting it will not derail the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The party made its position known in a communiqué issued after a meeting of its state leadership in Sokoto, vowing to remain focused on its objective of unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the next general elections.
The communiqué was jointly signed by the ADC State Chairman, Sufiyanu Bala, and the Chairman of the party’s Elders Forum, Shehu Aliyu Sambawa.
The ADC accused the APC-led Federal Government of using anti-corruption agencies and sections of the judiciary to intimidate opposition figures ahead of the 2027 elections.
While stressing that it was not opposed to lawful investigations and prosecutions, the party condemned what it described as the use of “Gestapo methods” to suppress dissent and weaken the opposition.
“We wish to inform all and sundry that no amount of political persecution will take our minds and eyes away from the big goal, which is to defeat the discredited APC government at the polls in the 2027 general elections,” the communiqué stated.
The party further alleged that the ruling APC was pursuing a strategy aimed at making opposition politics “unattractive at best and unbearable at worst.”
According to the ADC, the Federal Government’s economic policies and alleged misuse of state institutions have eroded public confidence in the APC, expressing optimism that Nigerians would vote the ruling party out of office in 2027.
Commenting on the ongoing investigation into Malami and the recent forfeiture of 48 properties linked to him, the party alleged that the petition, investigation, arrest, detention and prosecution of the former minister were orchestrated to achieve a predetermined political objective.
The ADC also claimed that security operatives searched Malami’s properties in his absence and deliberately exaggerated the value of assets belonging to him and his family in an attempt to tarnish his public image.
It further argued that the list of properties allegedly linked to the former minister failed to take into account his legal career and business interests before his appointment as Attorney-General of the Federation in 2015.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has accused Malami of corruption and recently secured the forfeiture of 48 properties allegedly linked to him. The former minister has denied any wrongdoing, while the matter remains before the courts.
