Abubakar Malami, the Kebbi State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has condemned the alleged attacks, intimidation, and destruction of property that occurred during the party’s presidential campaign flag-off in Birnin Kebbi.
Malami also demanded an impartial investigation into the demolition of the Malami Pressure Group headquarters along Sani Abacha Bypass, Birnin Kebbi, describing the incident as one that raises concerns about democratic freedoms.
The former Minister of Justice made these allegations in a press statement issued on Friday through his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka.
The condemnation came after Thursday’s campaign flag-off, which was attended by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and other national leaders of the ADC.
Malami alleged that political thugs attacked members of the campaign convoy, destroyed media equipment, and deployed tear gas in areas occupied by members of the visiting delegation.
He cautioned against using political influence or government institutions to intimidate members of the opposition.
“Any involvement of government institutions or security agencies in such actions is unacceptable and must be investigated,” he said.
The ADC candidate also criticized the circumstances around the demolition of the Malami Pressure Group headquarters, maintaining that the incident called for transparency and accountability.
He stated that although the Kebbi State Government denied involvement and blamed the demolition on a private ownership dispute, this did not remove the need for an impartial investigation.
“The state government’s denial of involvement and its attribution of the demolition to a private ownership dispute do not remove the need for transparency and accountability,” he said.
Malami contended that disagreements over politics should not escalate into violence, harassment, or the destruction of property.
“Political disagreement must never serve as a justification for intimidation, destruction of property, or the suppression of lawful opposition,” he added.
He further asserted that the Constitution guaranteed citizens freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, and he urged the government to respect those rights.
The ADC governorship candidate also accused the state government of paying insufficient attention to the security and economic challenges facing residents.
He identified banditry, displacement, poverty, food insecurity, and the disruption of agricultural activities as among the major problems confronting the state.
Malami pointed to the National Emergency Management Agency’s humanitarian intervention in March 2026 for victims of banditry in Shanga, Yauri, and Bunza as evidence of the challenges facing affected communities.
He said farmers required protection, children deserved quality education, families needed affordable food, and young people needed employment opportunities.
“Instead of intimidating political opponents, the government must direct its resources and attention toward addressing these urgent concerns,” he said.
He urged the Kebbi State Government, security agencies, and political stakeholders to refrain from actions that could spark violence and to ensure a peaceful political environment.
Malami also appealed to ADC supporters to stay peaceful and law-abiding, emphasizing that the party would pursue political change through democratic engagement.
Responding to the allegations, the governor’s chief press secretary, Ahmed Idris, denied claims of intimidation and other wrongdoing by the state government.
He said, “The state government did not intimidate them in any way. They came, they held their program, and they left.
“It was even their supporters that destroyed our billboard. The government didn’t do anything to them,” he added.
