Kebbi accuses Malami of politicising UNDP poverty report

The Kebbi State Government has faulted the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Abubakar Malami, over his use of a United Nations Development Programme poverty report to criticise Governor Nasir Idris’ administration, accusing the former Attorney-General of the Federation of politicising the state’s economic challenges ahead of the 2027 elections.

The state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmed-BK, stated the government’s position on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi while reacting to Malami’s recent comments on poverty, insecurity and water scarcity in the state.

Ahmed-BK argued that the poverty report, which reportedly classified Kebbi among Nigeria’s poorest states, should not be used to assess the current administration’s performance without examining the period covered by the data, its methodology and subsequent government interventions.

He accused Malami of selectively presenting the report to discredit the All Progressives Congress-led government rather than offering practical solutions to the challenges confronting residents.

“The question is not whether poverty exists in Kebbi; the question is what caused it, who had the opportunity to address it, and what is being done today to overcome it.

“Poverty is a serious social challenge, not a political trophy to be brandished for electoral advantage,” the commissioner said.

The exchange comes as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the incumbent governor and Malami emerging as prominent figures in the contest for Kebbi’s political leadership.

Malami, who served as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice under former President Muhammadu Buhari, has criticised the state government over poverty, insecurity and inadequate access to essential services.

However, Ahmed-BK questioned the former minister’s record in government, arguing that his years in federal office should also be considered when assessing his claims about the state’s development challenges.

He challenged Malami to explain his contributions to improving the living conditions of Kebbi residents during his time in the Federal Government.

“Those who had the privilege of serving at the highest levels of government cannot simply detach themselves from the conditions that prevailed during their tenure and then present themselves as though they were never part of the system they now criticise,” he added.

The commissioner maintained that the Idris administration should be assessed based on verifiable projects, policy interventions and measurable outcomes rather than historical poverty statistics presented without sufficient context.

On insecurity, Ahmed-BK defended the state government’s response to banditry, citing the provision of operational vehicles and motorcycles to security agencies and community-based security groups.

He disclosed that the administration had procured hundreds of Hilux vehicles and thousands of motorcycles to strengthen the operational capacity of the military, police, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, hunters and vigilante groups.

According to him, the government had also supported additional security formations and operational bases, including the 28 Armoured Brigade in Birnin Kebbi, the 281 Tank Battalion in Yauri and the 381 Artillery Regiment in Kaoje.

He said Idris had visited communities affected by attacks, provided relief assistance and engaged relevant authorities to improve security coordination across the state.

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Ahmed-BK also challenged Malami over his reported claim in June 2025 that about 200 people had been killed in Tadurga Ward of Zuru Emirate.

The commissioner said subsequent statements attributed to local security authorities, local government officials and the Zuru Emirate Council disputed the reported figure, placing the death toll significantly lower.

He stressed the need for accuracy in reporting casualties from attacks, warning that unverified figures could heighten public anxiety and politicise the suffering of affected communities.

However, the commissioner did not provide the specific casualty figures attributed to the authorities in his statement.

The government also responded to Malami’s criticism of access to potable water, with Ahmed-BK questioning the former minister’s position in light of allegations surrounding properties reportedly linked to him.

He referred to reports concerning the confiscation of several properties in Birnin Kebbi, including a house allegedly associated with Malami’s child, arguing that resources represented by high-value assets could potentially finance essential public services.

According to him, the value of a single expensive property could fund several community water projects, depending on their costs and technical requirements.

However, the commissioner acknowledged that allegations concerning the ownership, acquisition or confiscation of properties must be determined through the appropriate legal processes and should not be treated as established facts.

He did not provide details of the reported properties or the legal proceedings surrounding them in the statement.

Defending the administration’s broader performance, Ahmed-BK said Governor Idris assumed office amid significant economic and developmental challenges but had introduced interventions in infrastructure, agriculture, education, healthcare and social welfare.

He listed road construction, fertiliser distribution, improved agricultural inputs, solar-powered water pumps, food assistance, teacher recruitment, scholarships and cash-transfer programmes among the initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods.

The commissioner maintained that the persistence of poverty did not necessarily mean the government had failed, arguing that development challenges required sustained investment and long-term interventions.

He urged Malami and other political actors to move beyond criticism and present credible policy alternatives to address poverty, unemployment, insecurity and inadequate access to essential services.

“Kebbi cannot afford to abandon a path of development simply because those seeking political power choose to magnify its challenges while overlooking the work being done,” Ahmed-BK said.

“Our people deserve honest debate, responsible leadership and practical solutions—not the politicisation of their difficulties.”

He urged residents to scrutinise claims by political actors and assess the administration based on its performance, accountability and commitment to public welfare.