The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kebbi State has accused former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the African Democratic Congress, ADC, of sponsoring political thugs responsible for recent violence in the state.
The allegation was contained in a statement on Tuesday by Yahaya Sarki, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Nasir Idris.
According to the APC, hoodlums allegedly loyal to the ADC stormed Birnin Kebbi during Malami’s recent visit, attacking the party’s secretariat and vandalising billboards of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Idris.
The party claimed that the attackers also destroyed campaign posters and fired gunshots, leaving residents in fear.
The APC condemned the incident as an attempt to disrupt Kebbi’s long-standing culture of peaceful politics and called on security agencies to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators.
While the ADC maintained that Malami’s visit to the state was for a condolence mission, APC supporters and residents argued that the violence that followed contradicted such claims.
Witnesses alleged that some of the thugs were brought in from neighbouring states and were armed with dangerous weapons.
The development has sparked concern among political observers, who warn that Kebbi, traditionally known for its peaceful politics, may be sliding into hostilities ahead of the 2027 elections.
Security agencies have been urged to intensify investigations into the incidents to restore confidence among residents and avert further violence.
