( Baba Lawan)
July 2025
In the increasingly bleak landscape of Nigerian politics—where public trust has been eroded by years of corruption, nepotism, and failed leadership—the name Abubakar Malami, SAN, has re-emerged with fresh resonance and potential. His recent defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s political history, especially for the people of Kebbi State and the Nigerian youth at large.
This is not just a shift in party allegiance. It is a profound reorientation—a bold departure from elite-dominated political platforms toward a youth-inclusive, development-focused political future.
I. Who Is Abubakar Malami? A Profile in Capacity and Conviction
Born in Birnin Kebbi, Abubakar Malami is not an accidental politician. He is a man of depth, legal intellect, and administrative experience. He studied law at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1992. In recognition of his excellence in legal advocacy, he earned the prestigious title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)—a rare honor that marks distinction in the legal profession.
Malami served as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023, making him one of the longest-serving legal officers in Nigeria’s democratic history. During his tenure, he supervised several high-stakes national legal battles, constitutional issues, and governance reforms. While critics have raised questions about some of his actions in office, no one denies that Malami brought legal authority, constitutional clarity, and strategic thinking to his role.
II. The Defection to ADC: A Statement of Purpose, Not Convenience
When Malami left the APC—a party under which he rose to national prominence—many political observers were stunned. But for those paying close attention to Nigeria’s political currents, it was a strategic recalibration.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) may not yet have the machinery of the APC or the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), but it represents something the major parties do not: a credible platform for progressive politics, youth inclusion, innovation, and grassroots development.
Why is this defection significant?
1. It reflects a shift in values—from elite patronage to grassroots participation.
2. It gives a voice to underrepresented youth, many of whom are disillusioned by the APC and PDP.
3. It signals a new model of politics in Northern Nigeria—one that is not driven by ethno-religious identities, but by merit, justice, and performance.
Malami's entrance into the ADC is not a retreat from influence but an advance toward purposeful governance.
III. Why Nigerian Youth Should Pay Attention
The Nigerian youth, who make up over 60% of the population, have often been the most affected by poor governance: unemployment, undereducation, insecurity, and a lack of opportunity. Yet they are rarely centered in governance conversations.
Abubakar Malami stands out in this regard.
He has a consistent history of youth advocacy, both in policy and in personal engagement.
He understands the structural barriers limiting youth participation—from economic disenfranchisement to political exclusion.
His ADC agenda prioritizes education, innovation, job creation, security, and accountability, all of which directly affect the youth.
IV. The Legacy We Can Expect in Kebbi State: A New Developmental Blueprint
Kebbi State is one of the least developed states in Nigeria. It suffers from poor infrastructure, a weak industrial base, limited access to education, rising insecurity, and alarming rates of youth unemployment. The old political elite has governed with indifference and mediocrity.
If Abubakar Malami assumes leadership in Kebbi under the ADC, the following transformations are realistically expected:
1. Education Reform and Youth Skills Development
Massive investment in public education, from primary to tertiary levels.
Establishment of technical colleges and innovation hubs to empower youth with employable skills.
Digital literacy programs to bring Kebbi youth into the global economy.
Scholarship and mentorship schemes to identify and support bright minds across the state.
Malami has the legal and administrative acumen to restructure education policy in Kebbi, ensuring it becomes a tool for development rather than a liability.
2. Agriculture-Led Economic Growth and Agro-Industrialization
Kebbi’s economy is primarily agrarian, yet its productivity is stunted by archaic methods, poor infrastructure, and limited access to finance.
Malami can unlock the potential of youth-led agribusinesses by:
Providing start-up capital and training.
Building agro-processing zones and irrigation systems.
Attracting private sector investment into value-chain agriculture.
Such programs would not only create jobs but also reduce dependency on federal allocations, positioning Kebbi as a food hub.
3. Jobs, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation
Establishment of Youth Enterprise Development Funds to support small and medium businesses.
Creation of public-private tech incubators to foster innovation in ICT and green technologies.
Revamping of the Ministry of Youth and Sports to offer real economic opportunities rather than token activities.
Malami's ADC-led administration could pioneer a Kebbi Start-up Policy, similar to the Lagos model, creating thousands of jobs in both traditional and emerging industries.
4. Insecurity and Social Cohesion
The North-West has become a hotspot for banditry and rural violence. Young people, both as victims and perpetrators, are central to this crisis.
Malami could address this through:
Community-based security networks, legally structured to support formal policing.
Youth engagement in peace-building, intelligence sharing, and social reorientation.
Establishment of rehabilitation centers for radicalized or criminalized youth.
With his deep understanding of constitutional law and justice, Malami can ensure that these security initiatives operate within the framework of human rights and the rule of law.
5. Transparent and Accountable Governance
As a former Attorney General, Malami has the capacity to:
Introduce e-governance tools to reduce corruption and increase efficiency.
Publish state budgets and procurement processes, allowing citizens to track spending.
Establish anti-corruption watchdogs and whistleblower protection laws.
His legal background can be instrumental in developing strong institutions in Kebbi—institutions that survive beyond his tenure.
V. Symbolism and Strategic Importance of Malami’s Move
Abubakar Malami’s emergence as a gubernatorial hopeful under ADC represents a philosophical rebirth. It is a rejection of the old guard and an invitation to a new kind of politics—one built on service delivery, policy depth, and youth partnership.
It also:
Repositions Kebbi as a potential model for other Northern states.
Forces the dominant parties to rethink their complacency.
Encourages political realignment across Nigeria, especially for younger voters looking for credible alternatives.
VI. A Word to the Skeptical Youth
Nigerian youth have every right to be skeptical. They have been promised too much and delivered too little. But hope, when combined with vigilance, can be a powerful force.
Malami must be held to account—not praised blindly, but supported constructively. If he wins power and strays from his promises, he should be challenged. But if he delivers, he must be celebrated and sustained.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Kebbi—and for Nigeria
Nigeria is at a crossroads. The old ways of doing politics—moneybag campaigns, empty rhetoric, tribal manipulation—have brought us to the brink. But a new possibility is emerging through leaders like Abubakar Malami, SAN, who are aligning with visionary platforms like the ADC.
His legal pedigree, governance experience, and youthful reform agenda make him not just a gubernatorial candidate, but a movement unto himself.
If given the chance and held accountable by the people, especially the youth, Malami may well go down in history as the leader who awakened Kebbi, inspired the North, and restored dignity to Nigerian politics.
This is not just about a man. It is about a mission. A chance for renewal. A moment that must not be missed.
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Opinion