Abubakar Malami, SAN, the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has inaugurated the Director-General and more than 600 members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Campaign Council in Kebbi State, charging them to unite and pursue an issue-based campaign ahead of the elections.
Malami, who spoke at the inauguration on Wednesday in Birni Kebbi, said the Council was not merely established to announce political appointments but to create a coordinated grassroots structure capable of taking the ADC’s message to communities across the state.
He said the composition of the Council reflected the diversity of Kebbi State, noting that it brought together members from different communities, Local Government Areas, Senatorial Districts and political backgrounds.
A statement issued by Mohammed Bello Doka, Special Assistant on Media to Malami, indicated that Malami urged members of the Council to work together as a single political family rather than operate competing campaign structures.
“This Campaign Council represents our collective ADC campaign. It is not about one candidate or one elective position. From the governorship to the Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly, we must work as one political family,” he said.
The former minister warned against tribalism, sectionalism and internal rivalry, saying such tendencies could undermine the party’s political strength.
He called on the Campaign Council to ensure that no Senatorial District, Local Government, Electoral Ward or community felt excluded from the ADC political movement.
Malami also urged party leaders to prioritise reconciliation and dialogue in resolving internal disagreements.
“Where there are disagreements, let us reconcile. Where there are grievances, let us listen. Where there is suspicion, let us rebuild trust. Our diversity must become our strength,” he stated.
He described the principle of “One ADC, One Campaign” as essential to the success of the party’s candidates, stressing that members should not publicly campaign together while working against one another privately.
“Different candidates, one ADC. Different communities, one Kebbi State. Different responsibilities, one common purpose,” Malami declared.
Malami further charged the Council to conduct its campaign peacefully and with respect for political opponents and the electorate.
He cautioned supporters against ethnic insults, hate speech and attacks on people because of their political choices or backgrounds.
According to him, political contests should not be allowed to destroy relationships within communities.
“After the elections, we will still worship together, attend the same markets, celebrate together, mourn together and raise our children together. No political ambition is worth destroying those bonds,” he said.
Addressing the more than 600 members of the Campaign Council, Malami said their appointments should be regarded as a call to service rather than a reward or conferment of status.
He tasked them with mobilising supporters, reconciling aggrieved members, engaging citizens and strengthening the ADC’s grassroots structures across the local government areas, wards, communities and polling units in the state.
Malami said members should measure their contributions by the number of communities they mobilised, disagreements they resolved and citizens they engaged, rather than by the political positions assigned to them.
He urged the council members to return to their respective communities as ambassadors and bridge-builders for the party.
Reaffirming the principles expected to guide the campaign, Malami said the ADC should prioritise unity, cooperation, reconciliation, respect and service to the people.
“We choose unity over division. We choose cooperation over rivalry. We choose reconciliation over bitterness. We choose respect over insults. We choose service over personal interest.”
He described the inauguration as the beginning of a new phase of political mobilisation and grassroots engagement in Kebbi State.
Malami concluded by urging party members to rise above tribal and sectional interests and work collectively for the development of the state.
“Today is not a reward for work completed. Today is the beginning of work. Let us arise above our differences. Let us arise above tribalism and sectionalism. Let us arise together in service to our people. And together, let us make Kebbi State shine. Arise and Shine!”
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