ADC defection: Group tackles Malami

A civic watchdog group, the Citizens Alliance for Rule of Law and Justice (CARoLJ), has tackled former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), over his recent criticism of the Bola Tinubu administration. This was as the group condemned his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic […]

A civic watchdog group, the Citizens Alliance for Rule of Law and Justice (CARoLJ), has tackled former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), over his recent criticism of the Bola Tinubu administration.

This was as the group condemned his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition.

In a statement issued in Kaduna on Sunday and signed by the group’s president, Aminu Jallo, CARoLJ said Malami’s remarks accusing the current government of neglecting security and plunging Nigerians into poverty are not only ironic but deeply insulting to the intelligence of Nigerians.

Malami, who served as Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023, formally announced his defection to the ADC on Wednesday, stating that the party offers a coalition to “rescue Nigeria from collapse”.

He decried insecurity and economic hardship, particularly in northern Nigeria, and accused the APC-led government of prioritising propaganda over governance.

The group described Malami’s defection to the ADC as “a soft launch of his long-suspected ambition to contest the 2027 governorship election in Kebbi State.”

Reacting directly to Malami’s call for Nigerians to “reclaim the nation” through the ADC, CARoLJ dismissed it.

“He now talks about banditry and hardship in the North — but was silent when communities were razed in Zamfara, Kebbi, and Borno under Buhari, while he remained fixated on political consolidation,” Jallo noted.

“To the people of Kebbi: Malami heard your cries during years of banditry and silence was his only response. He cannot now claim to be your liberator.

“Nigerians must resist the ongoing attempt by disgraced political actors to hide behind new parties and forgotten slogans. True reform begins with accountability — not defection.”