The Kebbi State Government has dismissed allegations by the senator representing Kebbi South Senatorial District, Garba Musa Maidoki, that he was denied the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for re-election because of his criticism of insecurity in the state.
The government described the claim as misleading and an attempt to explain away the senator’s inability to secure the party’s nomination.
In a statement released on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Nasir Idris, Ahmed Idris, the state government maintained that Maidoki’s allegations did not reflect the true circumstances surrounding the APC primary election.
Maidoki had earlier stated during an appearance on Channels Television that his outspoken stance on insecurity, particularly in the Zuru axis of Kebbi South, contributed to his loss of the APC ticket. The area has experienced repeated incidents of bandit attacks in recent years.
Responding to the allegation, the state government stressed that addressing insecurity is a shared responsibility involving all levels of government, security agencies, traditional rulers, and local communities.
“The Senator also claimed that he joined politics primarily to fight insecurity because his people were being killed. This assertion is far from the truth and appears to be a mere attempt to justify his political setback,” the statement said.
The government further argued that if insecurity was indeed the senator’s main motivation for seeking elective office, the people had every right to assess his performance and decide whether he deserved another term.
“Even if we accept his claim that he entered politics to address insecurity in the senatorial district, it is only fair to ask what measurable impact he has made toward achieving that objective.
“If insecurity was his primary reason for seeking office, then the people are entitled to assess his performance and decide whether he deserves another mandate. The reality is that the people have exercised that right,” the statement added.
The government also rejected suggestions that Governor Nasir Idris influenced the outcome of the APC primary election.
“It is important to state categorically that His Excellency, Governor Nasir Idris (Kauran Gwandu), does not determine the political fate of elected officials. The Governor firmly believes in democratic principles and respects the will of party members and stakeholders,” the statement noted.
According to the government, political success or failure is determined by an individual's performance, public acceptance, and the confidence of voters rather than the influence of the governor.
The administration maintained that the APC primary election outcome reflected the collective decision of party members and stakeholders who participated in the process.
The statement also highlighted what it described as significant achievements by the Idris administration in tackling insecurity across the state, especially in the Zuru Emirate, one of the areas most affected by banditry and kidnapping.
Ahmed Idris stated that the improved security situation had enabled many residents to return to their communities and resume farming activities.
The government urged Senator Maidoki to accept the outcome of the primary election and avoid making statements capable of misleading the public.
“We therefore urge Senator Maidoki to accept the outcome of the democratic process in good faith and refrain from making allegations that are capable of misleading the public,” the statement concluded.
The disagreement follows the APC primary election ahead of the 2027 general elections, where Maidoki failed to secure the party’s ticket for another term in the Senate.
ADEOLA KUNLE
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