A political dispute has emerged in Kebbi State over allegations concerning the management of about ₦627 billion said to have accrued to the state government through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) since the administration of Governor Nasir Idris assumed office in 2023.
The controversy intensified after the African Democratic Congress (ADC) raised questions about the whereabouts and utilisation of the funds during its campaign activities in the state. The issue has subsequently drawn a response from the Kebbi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and officials of the state government.
ADC Raises Questions Over ₦627bn
The ADC, in its criticism of the state administration, questioned how the reported ₦627 billion in FAAC-related receipts had been utilised.
The issue was reportedly raised by Sani Tadurga, Director-General of the ADC campaign, who sought clarification on the funds and the projects or programmes financed with the revenue.
The controversy has become part of the wider political debate in Kebbi ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition figures using government revenue and expenditure as part of their scrutiny of the incumbent administration.
However, the figures and their interpretation have become a central point of disagreement between the opposition and the government.
Government Rejects Suggestion of Unaccounted Funds
The APC has rejected the suggestion that the funds cannot be accounted for.
Adamu Mudi Augie, the acting chairman of the APC in Kebbi State, said residents of the state could assess the administration’s record through the projects executed across different sectors since 2023.
According to him, the government has invested in road construction, urban renewal, education, healthcare and other areas of public infrastructure.
He specifically cited the dualisation of the Birnin Kebbi–Ambursa Road, improvements to major urban roads, installation of solar-powered streetlights and work on several other road projects.
The APC also pointed to the completion and furnishing of the previously abandoned ultra-modern secretariat complex, as well as ongoing work on roads including the Koko–Mahuta–Dabai Road, Argungu bypass and Ahmadu Bello Way in Gwandu.
Education Projects Also Cited
The governing party said education had received significant attention under Governor Nasir Idris.
It listed the rehabilitation and construction of primary and secondary schools, the establishment of mega boarding schools focused on science and skills development, and the recruitment of more than 2,000 teachers.
The APC also cited renovations at institutions including the College of Nursing Sciences in Birnin Kebbi and the College of Health Sciences and Technology in Jega.
The party’s position is that these projects demonstrate that government resources have been deployed across sectors rather than remaining unaccounted for.
Healthcare Spending Becomes Part of the Defence
Healthcare is another area cited by the government in response to the allegations.
The APC said approximately 30 general hospitals and primary healthcare centres across Kebbi State had been renovated or upgraded, while additional healthcare facilities were being constructed.
The party further maintained that the projects highlighted by the administration were implemented without resorting to borrowing.
These claims form the basis of the government’s argument that the state’s financial resources have been translated into physical infrastructure and public services.
Government Questions ADC’s Interpretation of the Figure
The government’s response has also focused on the meaning of the ₦627 billion figure.
An official response from the governor’s camp argued that government inflows should not automatically be treated as money available for unrestricted spending.
The response pointed to the need to distinguish between different categories of public revenue, statutory obligations, recurrent expenditure, local-government-related funds, grants and capital commitments.
The argument is that a total figure representing government receipts over a period does not, by itself, establish how much was available for discretionary expenditure or prove that any amount was mismanaged.
Malami’s Political Camp Drawn Into Dispute
The controversy has also involved Abubakar Chika Malami, who is associated with the ADC’s political campaign in Kebbi.
Malami, a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, is being presented by the ADC as part of its political challenge to the incumbent administration.
In responding to the opposition’s criticism, the governor’s camp questioned whether political figures who previously held influential federal positions should also be subjected to scrutiny concerning their own records in government.
The government argued that accountability should apply to both incumbent officials and opposition politicians who have previously occupied public office.
The Central Issue Remains Financial Accountability
At the heart of the dispute is the question of how much money Kebbi State has received since 2023, what portion was actually available to the state government, how the money was allocated and what projects were financed with it.
The allegation of financial mismanagement remains a political claim rather than an established finding of wrongdoing based on the material currently available. The government’s response is that its expenditure can be assessed through completed and ongoing projects across the state.
A definitive assessment would require detailed official financial records showing the state’s actual receipts, expenditure, statutory deductions, obligations, capital spending and audited accounts for the relevant period.
As the political contest develops, the ₦627 billion controversy is likely to remain a major issue in discussions about governance, transparency and public expenditure in Kebbi State. Both the government’s financial records and the evidence presented by those making the allegations will be important in determining the factual basis of the competing claims.