How ‘political thugs’ attacked me — Malami

Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami has explained how his convoy was attacked by suspected political thugs allegedly belonging to the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kebbi State on Monday.

Malami had said he was returning from the Emir’s palace, where he went to condole the Emirate and the family of one of the emirate’s religious leaders when political thugs emerged from nowhere and started attacking his convoy with dangerous weapons.

Writing on his verified Facebook account on Tuesday, he described Monday as “sad day and a day that unfolded negative history in the political developments of Kebbi State.”

According to him, he was returning from a condolence visit to Emir of Gwandu and the family of late Imam Tukur Kola in Birnin Kebbi when his convoy was “violently attacked near my private residence by political thugs that emerged from State APC headquarters positioned very close to my residence.”

He narrated, “Stones and dangerous objects were hurled at us, vehicles were damaged, and several people sustained injuries inclusive of fractures.

“What is most disturbing is that this was not an isolated act of hooliganism. Evidence clearly points to a politically orchestrated attack, allegedly funded and coordinated by powerful figures who have abandoned governance at the altar of do-or-die politics.

“The presence of the APC party stalwarts and close relations of the Governor was visibly noticed on site when the attack was being perpetrated.

“The presence of security personnel did not help matters as the thugs moved into the party headquarters for apparent cover and no arrest was eventually made. There was deliberate inaction.

“This is not about me as Abubakar Malami. This is about the dangerous path our state and our country are treading, where thuggery replaces dialogue, and intimidation replaces governance, while over 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty according to NBS statistics.

“Let me be clear: Kebbi State Government should not fear Malami. They should fear the consequences of their own actions, the judgment of history, and the anger of the people who have been left in abject poverty, insecurity, and despair.

Reacting to the allegations, the Kebbi State government noted that, “from his narration, it was clear he [Malami] has his motive and has learned person he should live to speak the truth.”

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune on the incident, the Chief Press Secretary, Ahmed Idris added, “from the onset, we are not in political rally. Why will he come to console a person that was bereaved by thugs.

“I want to tell you, at the time, there was no any member of APC at the party’s office. He has his own motive. The party has no hand in his ordeal. The state government too has no hand in the attack.

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