By Najeeb Sani
Groups of youths have reportedly booed the former minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, during his arrival in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State on Thursday.
Malami was recently detained by anti-graft body for interrogation on allegations of corruption when he was a minister.
The governorship hopeful after landing on the soil of Birnin Kebbi was booed by some youth who were opposing his governorship ambition.
In a video clip that circulated on social media platforms, the crowd of youth chanted “barawo bai mulki,” a Hausa phrase meaning “a thief cannot govern,” referring to the allegations of corruption labelled against him after leaving office.
The protesters also shouted “Kaura tuta,” loosely interpreted as a show of loyalty to the incumbent governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, popularly known as Kaura, whom they described as the leader under whose banner they intend to remain.
Meanwhile, the Kebbi Progressive Youths (KEPYO) have urged the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to reconsider his political ambitions and “save himself further embarrassment” following hostile reactions that greeted his visit to Kebbi State.
In a statement issued after the incident, KEPYO, through its spokesperson, Comrade Musa Adamu, said the public reaction should serve as a warning to the former minister.
According to Adamu, rather than subject himself to further public ridicule, Malami should suspend any political plans he may be nurturing and stay away from Birnin Kebbi for the time being.
“The reception he received from the youths clearly reflects the mood of many people in the state,” Adamu said. “Instead of inviting more embarrassment, he should shelve whatever political ambitions he has and preserve whatever dignity he still possesses.”
The youth group maintained that Kebbi residents remain strongly supportive of the current administration and warned that attempts to re-enter the state’s political scene against the prevailing public sentiment could provoke further backlash.
Malami has yet to publicly respond to the incident but some political observers view the youth’s protest against the former minister as political.