By Lawan Musa (Baba Lawan)
September 2025
In Nigerian politics, few figures have combined the twin powers of law and politics as effectively as Abubakar Malami, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Best known for his role as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Malami’s career is often reduced to his years in the legal trenches of government. Yet, behind the veil of his legal pronouncements lies the story of a man who built a political empire, stitched together a loyal team, and mastered the art of influence in a country where politics is often louder than law.
The Lawyer Who Became a Politician
Malami’s rise did not begin in the courts of Abuja, but in the dusty streets and political circles of Kebbi State. Like many northern politicians, he started by cultivating grassroots connections, aligning himself with local power brokers, and earning the trust of party elders. His entry into the All Progressives Congress (APC) was not accidental; it was a calculated move to embed himself in the party that would dominate Nigerian politics for nearly a decade.
When President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him Attorney-General in 2015, Malami was not only the youngest man to hold the office but also among the most politically savvy. He quickly proved that his role was not to be confined to the courtroom. He understood that the Ministry of Justice was not just about legal opinions but also about political direction. In his hands, the law became both shield and sword.
The Power of a Winning Team
What sets Malami apart from many of his contemporaries is his team. Every successful politician in Nigeria is sustained by a network of loyalists, and Malami was no different. From Kebbi to Abuja, he assembled a circle of aides, strategists, and political foot soldiers who carried his influence far beyond his official title.
In Kebbi, his team built a structure that made him a household name, one capable of swinging votes and commanding loyalty in a state where traditional politics still matters. In 2023, for instance, when he briefly declared interest in the governorship, his mobilization machinery shook the foundations of Kebbi APC before he later stepped back—an episode that proved his relevance as both kingmaker and power broker.
At the national level, his allies ensured that his name remained in conversations about power, policy, and party strategy. His network within APC made him indispensable during party crises and internal primaries, especially when disputes over candidate selection reached the courts.
Strategy, Survival, and Controversy
Malami’s political strategy has always been subtle. Unlike many politicians who prefer grandstanding, Malami preferred the quiet corridors of power where decisions are made away from cameras. He was often the negotiator, the behind-the-scenes broker, the man who could speak the language of both law and politics.
A clear example came during APC’s internal battles in the build-up to the 2019 elections, when disputes over governorship primaries in states like Zamfara and Rivers ended in legal stalemates. As AGF, Malami’s office played roles that, directly or indirectly, affected the fortunes of APC in those states. Supporters hailed him as a defender of party interests, while critics accused him of sacrificing legal neutrality for political expediency.
Similarly, his decision to advise the Buhari administration on sensitive issues like the suspension of Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen in 2019, or the handling of electoral disputes, positioned him not just as a legal adviser but as a political actor shaping the future of the republic.
Yet, with influence came controversy. He was accused of partisanship, of bending the law to political ends, of protecting allies while pursuing opponents. Some even saw him as the most powerful member of Buhari’s cabinet. Yet, despite the storms, Malami never fell. His resilience was not just about personal strength; it was about the strength of the team that stood behind him.
How He Compares with Others
To appreciate Malami’s uniqueness, it is useful to compare him with other men who once occupied the same office. Take Bola Ige, for instance. As Attorney-General under President Obasanjo, Ige was a politician before he was a law officer—openly partisan, openly ambitious, and tragically cut down before his influence could fully bloom.
Or consider Michael Aondoakaa, AGF under President Yar’Adua. He was powerful and controversial, often accused of protecting the presidency with legal gymnastics. Yet his power did not outlive his office. Once removed, his political influence waned.
Malami, by contrast, embedded himself deeper. He did not rely solely on the legal weight of his office. He built grassroots support in Kebbi, cultivated alliances within APC, and nurtured a loyal winning team. This gave him a political afterlife beyond the cabinet—a rare feat for any Attorney-General in Nigeria.
Even when compared with northern power brokers like Adamu Ciroma of the old days or contemporary figures like Nasir El-Rufai, Malami’s approach stands out. Where El-Rufai pursued loud reforms and sometimes courted open battles, Malami preferred quiet negotiations and survival tactics. Where Ciroma wielded intellectual firepower to dominate northern politics, Malami used the twin instruments of law and loyalty.
Malami’s Legacy and Future
Today, as Nigeria enters a new political chapter, Abubakar Malami’s name still rings with relevance. In Kebbi, he remains a kingmaker, capable of shaping the direction of governorship and senatorial contests. In the APC, he is still a voice that cannot be ignored, especially in matters that touch on law and party discipline. And in the national space, his experience at the crossroads of law and politics ensures that he will remain a figure of study, admiration, and debate for years to come.
His legacy is twofold. First, he showed that the office of Attorney-General could be more than a legal role—it could be a political powerhouse. Second, he demonstrated the enduring value of a winning team. In a country where individual ambition often trumps collective loyalty, Malami’s structure has survived because it was built on patronage, loyalty, and mutual benefit.
Lastly, Abubakar Malami SAN’s journey from the courtrooms of Kebbi to the corridors of national power is a reminder that in Nigerian politics, law and politics are inseparable twins. His story is not just about one man’s ambition, but about how a carefully cultivated team can transform ambition into influence. Whether loved or loathed, one truth is undeniable: Malami did not just serve as Attorney-General; he played politics at the highest level—and he won.
Tags
Opinion