The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State has challenged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to explain the source of the wealth and assets allegedly linked to its leading figure, former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
The APC Acting Chairman in Kebbi, Alhaji Adamu Mudi-Augie, issued the challenge on Friday in Birnin Kebbi while reacting to the ADC’s criticism of the finances and expenditure of Governor Nasir Idris’ administration.
Mudi-Augie described the ADC’s criticism as ironic, arguing that a party associated with Malami was questioning the financial management of an administration whose projects, he said, were visible across the state.
He said the APC had no objection to scrutiny of government finances but argued that the ADC’s focus on “where the money went” failed to account for roads, schools, hospitals, housing projects and agricultural interventions carried out by the administration.
“Three years on, the record is there for any honest observer to inspect,” he said.
“The people of Kebbi can see where public resources have gone,” he added.
According to him, the administration had undertaken projects across virtually every sector since assuming office in May 2023.
He listed the dualisation of the Birnin Kebbi-Ambursa Road, urban renewal projects, solar-powered street lights and the ongoing construction of the Koko-Mahuta-Dabai Road, Argungu Old Bypass and Ahmadu Bello Way in Gwandu among the projects.
Mudi-Augie also cited the completion and furnishing of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ultra-Modern Secretariat Complex, inherited from the previous administration, as one of the government’s achievements.
He said the administration had rehabilitated and constructed several primary and secondary schools, established mega boarding schools focused on science and skills in Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, Yauri and Zuru, and procured more than one million textbooks.
The APC chairman added that more than 2,000 teachers had been recruited, while the College of Nursing Sciences and other tertiary institutions had received furniture, ICT equipment and other forms of support.
He also said the government had established a new College of Midwifery Sciences in Ambursa.
On healthcare, Mudi-Augie said about 30 general hospitals and primary healthcare centres had been renovated or upgraded, while additional facilities were constructed in underserved communities.
He listed Kambaza, Suru, Kamba, Dirin-Daji, Kangiwa, Koko and Yauri among the areas that had benefited from the interventions.
According to him, thousands of health workers had also been recruited, while ambulances and medical equipment were provided to improve healthcare delivery.
On housing, Mudi-Augie said the 250-unit Kauran Gwandu Housing Estate in Birnin Kebbi was nearing completion, with similar schemes planned for workers and teachers.
He added that additional federal housing units had been acquired for completion.
The APC chairman said the administration had also supported farmers with free agricultural inputs, including fertilisers, seeds and water-pumping machines, as well as solar-powered pumps under the Kaura Agricultural Development and Growth Agenda (KADAGE).
He said the interventions had boosted irrigation and dry-season farming, while workers had benefited from the new minimum wage and the payment of inherited pension liabilities.
Mudi-Augie further claimed that the administration was not indebted in salaries, pensions, gratuities or death benefits.
He said the projects had been executed without borrowing, describing the feat as unprecedented in the state.
The APC chairman, however, turned his attention to Malami, alleging that the former minister had accumulated substantial wealth while in public office without adequately explaining its source.
He cited a July 15 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordering the final forfeiture to the Federal Government of 48 properties linked to Malami, his family and associated companies.
According to him, the properties included hotels, educational facilities, residential and commercial buildings, as well as land in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna.
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He said the forfeiture followed proceedings initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), adding that nine properties earlier placed under interim orders were discharged, while 48 were subject to final forfeiture.
Mudi-Augie urged the ADC to address questions surrounding the assets linked to its leading figure rather than portraying the Kebbi Government’s expenditure as unexplained.
He challenged the opposition party to focus on the administration’s performance and development projects instead of creating what he described as a fiscal mystery around projects visible to residents.
“The records of the Kauran Gwandu administration are open to inspection. The people of Kebbi are the witnesses,” he said.
He urged residents to assess the administration based on its performance and its effect on their daily lives.
Mudi-Augie added that the APC remained ready to defend the government’s record and engage its opponents on issues concerning the development of Kebbi State.
