Malami confirms withdrawal from Kebbi governorship race, says ‘I haven’t resigned as AGF’

By Akinwande Soji-Ojo

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has withdrawn from the Kebbi State governorship race.

The minister, who had declared his intention to run for the Kebbi State governorship seat and obtained the N50 million All Progressives Congress(APC) expression of interest and nomination forms, told Vanguard,on Saturday that he had pulled out from the race to succeed Governor Atiku Bagudu.

“I have not resigned as the Attorney General of the Federation but have only withdrawn from the Kebbi governorship race,” he told the medium via a text message.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had last Wednesday ordered all ministers and appointees with political ambitions to resign

Buhari’s directive was in line with the provisions of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act which states that: “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”

Buhari also held a valedictory session for the 10 outgoing ministers at the State House, on Friday.

However, with the latest development, Malami becomes the second minister to drop his political ambition, after Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, who announced on Friday that he is staying on as minister.