Kebbi tackles ADC over call to review 21 professors’ appointments

The Kebbi State Government has criticised the African Democratic Congress Campaign Council over its recent appeal to 21 professors appointed to head Local Government Education Authorities across the state.

The government described the appeal by the ADC Director of Strategic Communications, Bello Abdullahi, as politically motivated and urged the opposition party to focus on presenting its programmes to the electorate.

The position was contained in a statement on Wednesday jointly signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Garba Dutsinmari, and Magatakardan Bagudo, Aminu Shehu.

The officials said the appointment of the professors was part of Governor Nasir Idris’ efforts to introduce academic and intellectual leadership into the administration of basic education across the 21 local government areas.

They also defended the governor’s record in the education sector, citing the declaration of a state of emergency on education, the renovation of more than 2,000 primary schools, the recruitment of over 2,000 teachers and increased scholarships for Kebbi students.

“It was this same Governor you are trying to blackmail that declared a State of Emergency on Education, renovated over 2,000 primary schools, recruited over 2,000 teachers, increased scholarships for Kebbi students, and restored dignity to the teaching profession,” the statement said.

The officials also questioned the ADC’s reported focus on official vehicles for the professors, saying the opposition should instead be concerned about measurable outcomes in the education sector.

“If you genuinely care about education, why didn’t you ask the Professors about enrollment, out-of-school children reduction, or teacher performance? Why is your only concern about vehicles?” they asked.

The exchange comes amid increased political activities in Kebbi ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with the ADC fielding former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, as its governorship candidate.

The opposition party has been expanding its grassroots structure across the state, with its campaign council saying its agenda would focus on education, healthcare, security, agriculture and employment.

On Monday, September 21, the Jarkuka Youth Development Association, led by Comrade Ibrahim Jarkuka, visited the Director of Youth and Students Mobilisation of the ADC Kebbi State Campaign Council.

According to the ADC campaign council, the group expressed support for Malami and other ADC candidates and pledged to mobilise voters for the party in its ward. The delegation was accompanied by Buhari Khadi Malami, identified as a younger brother of the ADC governorship candidate.

The APC-led government has also stepped up its grassroots mobilisation. Earlier this month, Governor Idris received members of the Kebbi State Hunters Association from the 21 local government areas, who expressed support for President Bola Tinubu, the governor and other APC candidates.

Turning their criticism to Malami, the Kebbi government questioned his record during his eight years as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Where was he when Kebbi youth were jobless? Where were the empowerment, the federal appointments, the industries for Kebbi people?” the officials asked.

They alleged that the former minister did not adequately address the challenges confronting Kebbi people during his time in the Federal Executive Council, while also accusing him of using his federal position for himself and his associates.

The statement, however, did not provide specific evidence to substantiate the allegations.

The government also highlighted what it described as Governor Idris’ achievements in road construction, the state secretariat, education and the payment of workers’ salaries.

“Kebbi does not need a Governor who will use Government House to accumulate wealth and prosecute political enemies. We need a tested, compassionate leader like Kauran Gwandu who is already building roads, state secretariat, schools, and paying workers promptly,” it said.

The officials urged the ADC campaign council to keep the 21 professors out of the political contest, arguing that their roles were administrative and educational rather than political.

“Leave our Professors alone. They are not politicians. They are busy reforming our education,” they said.

They challenged the ADC to present its policies directly to Kebbi voters instead of focusing on the professors and their official vehicles.

“If ADC has any serious agenda for Kebbi, let them present it to the people instead of hiding behind Professors and vehicles,” the statement added.

The 21 professors were appointed by the Kebbi State Government in November 2024 to head the Local Education Authorities in the state’s 21 local government areas, with the appointments presented as part of efforts to strengthen basic education management.

The latest exchange has further intensified the political contest between the APC administration and Malami’s ADC ahead of the 2027 governorship election.