Kebbi government warns ADC candidate Malami over alleged land dispute claims

Kebbi government threatens legal action against ADC candidate

At a press conference held on 6 November 2026 at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed, warned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate Abubakar Malami that the government would pursue legal action if he did not retract what the state described as a campaign of calumny. Ahmed said the ADC had alleged that the Kebbi government had demolished a plot of land on the bypass road, claiming the property belonged to an associate of Malami. The commissioner denied that the government owned the land or authorised its demolition, stating that the owner, Alhaji Ummaru Gulumbe, had explained his side of the dispute. The commissioner questioned why the ADC and Malami had dragged the state into the controversy and accused the candidate of using the issue to portray the government negatively in a bid to win voters. He demanded that Malami and the ADC retract the allegations and apologise, warning that failure to do so would result in legal proceedings.

Background

The dispute centres on a plot of land situated on the bypass road in Kebbi State. The ADC claims that the state government demolished the property, alleging it belonged to an associate of Malami. The government, however, maintains that it has no ownership of the land and did not authorise any demolition. Alhaji Ummaru Gulumbe, the owner of the disputed plot, has provided his account of the situation, which the government says supports its position. The ADC has not yet issued a formal statement in response to the government’s accusations. The incident comes amid the broader political contest for the Kebbi governorship, with the ADC positioning Abubakar Malami as its candidate. The state government, led by Governor Nasir Idris, has been criticised by opposition parties for alleged mismanagement and has faced accusations of political bias.

Why it matters

The allegations and the government’s threat of legal action highlight the intensity of the political rivalry in Kebbi State. The dispute could influence public perception of both the ADC and the incumbent administration. If the legal action proceeds, it may set a precedent for how political parties handle accusations of defamation related to public assets. The situation also underscores the importance of accurate information in political campaigns. The government’s insistence on retraction and apology reflects its concern over potential damage to its reputation and the need to maintain public trust.

What happens next

The sources do not provide specific dates or further steps beyond the government’s threat of legal action. No official statement has been released by the ADC or by Abubakar Malami in response to the commissioner’s warning. The matter remains unresolved, with the next developments likely to depend on the ADC’s reaction and any subsequent legal proceedings.