Kebbi 2026: Ex-AGF Abubakar Malami ADC Frontrunner Despite the ₦200B Corruption Trial
Nigeria’s former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, will lead the African Democratic Congress (ADC) into the 2027 general elections in Kebbi State.
Malami was among candidates whose particulars were published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) alongside 27 other ADC gubernatorial hopefuls.
The official list of ADC candidates and their running mates was also publicised by the party’s National Spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, via his X (formerly Twitter) account.
Malami’s Legal Troubles and ₦200 Billion Asset Forfeiture
Malami’s clearance comes amid intense legal battles. The former chief law officer faces multiple criminal charges filed by anti-corruption and state security agencies, spanning money laundering, asset concealment, and terrorism financings.
He was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he is standing trial alongside his son, Abdulaziz, and an associate, Bashir Asabe, on a 16-count charge.
On July 15, 2026, the EFCC secured a massive final forfeiture order of assets worth over ₦200 billion linked to Malami.
Lagos, Rivers, Delta: Other Big Names on the ADC Ticket
Beyond Kebbi State, the ADC lineup features high-profile political heavyweights, seasoned switchers, and serial contestants eyeing top state seats across the federation.
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (Lagos State)
Moving away from the Labour Party (LP) platform where he ran in 2023, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour defected to secure the ADC ticket for Lagos State as he makes another bid for the state’s highest office.
Great Ogboru (Delta State)
Renowned as a perennial contender, Great Ogboru clutched the ADC ticket for Delta State. Ogboru has contested every Delta gubernatorial race since 1999 without a win, routinely taking his grievances to election tribunals.
John James Akpanudoedehe (Akwa Ibom State)
The former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is the ADC flagbearer for Akwa Ibom State. Akpanudoedehe, whose political momentum peaked during his 2011 run on the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) platform against Godswill Akpabio, has traversed the PDP, ACN, and APC before joining the ADC.
Herman Hembe (Benue State)
In Benue, former House of Representatives member Herman Hembe is the ADC candidate. Hembe’s national career took a hit following a controversial ₦44 million bribe scandal involving the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under Arunma Oteh. Though the Court of Appeal eventually dismissed the charges, the scandal significantly slowed his political trajectory.
Other Key Flagbearers
- Rivers State: Gabriel Pidomson
- Nasarawa State: Nuhu Angbazo
- Katsina State: Senator Ahmed Baba Kaita
