The Kebbi State Government has accused the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate, Abubakar Malami, of using a poverty report by the United Nations Development Programme to score political points against Governor Nasir Idris ahead of the 2027 elections.

The state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmed-BK, made the accusation on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi while responding to Malami’s recent criticisms of the state government over poverty, insecurity and access to potable water.

Ahmed-BK said although poverty remained a serious challenge in Kebbi, historical statistics should not be used in isolation to determine the performance of the current administration without considering the period covered by the data, the methodology used and interventions introduced by successive governments.

He accused Malami of selectively relying on the report, which reportedly ranked Kebbi among Nigeria’s poorest states, to attack the All Progressives Congress-led administration instead of presenting workable solutions to the problems facing residents.

“The question is not whether poverty exists in Kebbi; the question is what caused it, who had the opportunity to address it, and what is being done today to overcome it,” the commissioner said.

He argued that poverty should be treated as a development challenge rather than an issue to be deployed for electoral advantage.

The dispute comes amid increasing political activity in Kebbi ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Malami and the incumbent governor emerging as major figures in the state’s unfolding political contest.

Malami, a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has repeatedly raised concerns about poverty, insecurity and inadequate basic services in the state.

In response, Ahmed-BK questioned Malami’s record during his years in the Federal Government, arguing that his tenure at the national level should also be considered when assessing his criticisms of the state’s present condition.

He challenged the former minister to explain what he did to improve the welfare of Kebbi residents while serving in the Federal Government.

“Those who had the privilege of serving at the highest levels of government cannot simply detach themselves from the conditions that prevailed during their tenure and then present themselves as though they were never part of the system they now criticise,” the commissioner said.

Ahmed-BK maintained that the Idris administration should instead be judged by its policies, projects and measurable results.

The commissioner also defended the state government’s handling of insecurity, particularly attacks linked to banditry.

He said the administration had provided security agencies and community-based security groups with operational vehicles and motorcycles to strengthen their capacity to respond to threats.

According to him, the government has supplied hundreds of Hilux vehicles and thousands of motorcycles to the military, police, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, hunters and vigilante groups.

Ahmed-BK also listed support for security formations and operational bases, including the 28 Armoured Brigade in Birnin Kebbi, 281 Tank Battalion in Yauri and 381 Artillery Regiment in Kaoje.

He said Governor Idris had visited communities affected by attacks, provided relief materials and worked with relevant authorities to improve security coordination.

The commissioner further challenged Malami over a claim reportedly made in June 2025 that about 200 people had been killed in Tadurga Ward of the Zuru Emirate.

Ahmed-BK said subsequent accounts attributed to local security officials, local government authorities and the Zuru Emirate Council disputed the figure and put the reported fatalities at a considerably lower number.

He called for greater caution when reporting casualties arising from attacks, warning that unverified figures could increase public fear and turn the suffering of affected communities into a political issue.

However, the commissioner did not state the alternative casualty figures cited by the authorities in his statement.

The state government also responded to Malami’s concerns over access to potable water.

Ahmed-BK questioned the former minister’s position while referring to reports concerning properties allegedly associated with him and his family.

He mentioned reports of the confiscation of properties in Birnin Kebbi, including a building allegedly linked to Malami’s child, and argued that the value of high-end properties could, depending on project costs, be sufficient to finance several community water schemes.

The commissioner, however, acknowledged that claims surrounding the ownership, acquisition or confiscation of the properties remained matters for the appropriate legal authorities to determine.

He did not provide further details about the properties or the status of any related legal proceedings.

Defending the administration’s broader record, Ahmed-BK said Idris inherited significant economic and developmental challenges when he assumed office but had introduced programmes across several sectors.

He cited road construction, agricultural support, fertiliser distribution, solar-powered water facilities, food assistance, recruitment of teachers, scholarships and cash-transfer initiatives as examples of measures introduced by the administration.

The commissioner argued that the continued existence of poverty should not automatically be interpreted as proof of government failure, saying complex socioeconomic problems require sustained investment and long-term intervention.

He urged Malami and other political opponents to complement criticism with concrete policy proposals capable of addressing poverty, unemployment, insecurity and inadequate basic services.

“Kebbi cannot afford to abandon a path of development simply because those seeking political power choose to magnify its challenges while overlooking the work being done,” Ahmed-BK said.

He called on residents to scrutinise claims made by politicians and assess the state government on the basis of its policies, performance, accountability and impact on citizens’ welfare.