A youth group within the All Progressives Congress in Kebbi State, the Kebbi APC Youth Vanguard (KAYVA), has criticised former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, over what it described as attempts to portray himself as a “saint” and “messiah” ahead of the 2027 governorship election in the state.

The group was reacting to Malami’s recent purchase of the APC nomination and expression of interest forms, during which he reportedly declared that his ambition was driven by a desire to “rescue” Kebbi State under Governor Nasir Idris through a campaign initiative tagged “Operation Rescue.”

Speaking with journalists, spokesperson of the group, Adamu Ahmed, dismissed Malami’s claims as “nothing more than a desperate attempt at image laundering.”

Ahmed argued that it was contradictory for the former minister to accuse the current administration of failing to tackle insecurity and socio-economic challenges when, according to him, many of the issues now being highlighted escalated during Malami’s tenure as Attorney General of the Federation under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“It amounts to an insult on the collective sensibilities of the people of Kebbi State for Malami to suddenly present himself as the solution to problems that escalated while he wielded immense power at the centre yet did nothing to rescue Kebbi State,” Ahmed said.

The group maintained that Governor Idris has continued to demonstrate commitment towards governance and development in the state despite prevailing economic and security challenges.

KAYVA also urged residents of Kebbi State to remain supportive of the current administration and reject what it described as “revisionism” and “selective amnesia” by politicians ahead of the 2027 election cycle.

According to the group, the people of the state should carefully assess the records of political actors seeking elective office and avoid being swayed by political rhetoric.