Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, on Friday withdrew from the Kebbi State governorship race.
Malami’s withdrawal from the governorship race comes one day after President Muhammadu Buhari ordered all members of his cabinet that are vying for elective to resign.
The controversial AGF had declared to interest in the Kebbi State governorship last month.
As part of his preparation for the party primaries, Malami reportedly distributed over 200 exotic vehicles to party members ahead of the governorship primary in the state.
Only two days ago, he submitted his N50 million nomination form at the International Conference Centre.
Sources close to the minister said he withdrew from the race over fear that he may not get the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket.
There’s been a succession battle in Kebbi with the incumbent governor, Atiku Bagudu and Senator Adamu Alieru over who the next governor will be.
While Bagudu, who chairs the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), is rooting for Malami as his successor, Aliero, a two-term governor of the state, has Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi as his preferred candidate for the APC governorship ticket.
Aliero’s camp has Bala Sani Kangiwa, who was removed during the last state congress of the party as their chairman, while the camp of the governor has Abubakar Kana Zuru as chairman.
Two secretariats of the APC now exist in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
Fearing he may not get the ticket under the current circumstances, Malami was said to have changed his plan and pulled out of the governorship race.
“He (Malami) actually pulled out of the race because he knows he can’t win without being the Attorney General,” a source said.
