The Kebbi State Government has defended the appointment of 21 professors to head Local Government Education Authorities across the state, describing criticism of the appointments by the African Democratic Congress Campaign Council as politically motivated.
The government’s position was contained in a statement jointly signed on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Garba Dutsinmari, and Magatakardan Bagudo, Aminu Shehu.
The officials were reacting to comments by the ADC Director of Strategic Communications, Bello Abdullahi, who reportedly called for a review of the appointments and raised concerns about official vehicles for the appointees.
According to the government, the appointment of the professors was part of Governor Nasir Idris’ efforts to strengthen the management of basic education by introducing academic and intellectual leadership across the state’s 21 local government areas.
The officials cited the administration’s declaration of a state of emergency on education, renovation of more than 2,000 primary schools, recruitment of over 2,000 teachers and increased scholarship opportunities for students as evidence of its investment in the sector.
“It was this same Governor you are trying to blackmail that declared a State of Emergency on Education, renovated over 2,000 primary schools, recruited over 2,000 teachers, increased scholarships for Kebbi students, and restored dignity to the teaching profession,” the statement said.
The government also questioned why the ADC campaign council was focusing on the official vehicles of the professors rather than their expected impact on education.
“If you genuinely care about education, why didn’t you ask the Professors about enrollment, out-of-school children reduction, or teacher performance? Why is your only concern about vehicles?” the officials asked.
The exchange comes as political activities intensify in Kebbi ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, contesting the governorship on the ADC platform.
The government also turned its criticism towards Malami, questioning his record during his eight years as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Where was he when Kebbi youth were jobless? Where were the empowerment, the federal appointments, the industries for Kebbi people?” the officials asked.
They alleged that Malami failed to adequately address some of the challenges facing Kebbi residents during his time in the Federal Executive Council and accused him of using his federal position for himself and his associates.
The statement did not, however, provide specific evidence to support those allegations.
The state government further listed road construction, development of the state secretariat, education projects and prompt payment of workers’ salaries among the achievements of the Idris administration.
“Kebbi does not need a Governor who will use Government House to accumulate wealth and prosecute political enemies. We need a tested, compassionate leader like Kauran Gwandu who is already building roads, state secretariat, schools, and paying workers promptly,” the statement said.
The officials urged the ADC campaign council to keep the professors out of political disputes, stressing that their appointments were administrative and educational.
“Leave our Professors alone. They are not politicians. They are busy reforming our education,” they said.
They also challenged the opposition party to present its programmes and policies directly to Kebbi voters rather than focusing on the professors and their official vehicles.
“If ADC has any serious agenda for Kebbi, let them present it to the people instead of hiding behind Professors and vehicles,” the statement added.
The 21 professors were appointed by the Kebbi State Government in November 2024 to head the Local Education Authorities in the state’s 21 local government areas as part of efforts to strengthen the administration of basic education.
