In continuation of our “Agenda 2027: The Face of the ADC Challenge” special ADC leadership publicizing series, we focus on Abubakar Malami CON SAN; an emergent leader in national politics , and a major force in the opposition ADC party that is poised to challenge the ruling parties in the 2027 election.
Abubakar Malami : A public spirited advocate of transparent and accountable governance:
Personal Attributes, Social Engagement & Characteristics:
Abubakar Malami, 58, is a Nigerian lawyer and politician. Born to an Islamic jurist father, Khadi Malami, the Junior Malami was attracted to the legal profession from his early years, and set out to be firmly grounded in law. Towards this, he enrolled in the College of Legal & Islamic Studies, Sokoto, where he obtained a Diploma in Law in 1987. Following which, he proceeded to Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, studied law. and was awarded a Bachelor of Law degree in 1991. Thereafter, he was called to the Bar and qualified as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1992. To also enroot his latent administrative and leadership aspirations, he enrolled in the University of Maiduguri for a postgraduate programme in public administration, and obtained a Master’s of Public Administration degree in 1994.
As an accomplished lawyer, and consummate public administrator, Malami is presently emerging on the national scene as a political leader who is committed to transparency and accountability in governance. His commitment to the enthronement of honest and accountable leadership is seen in the steadfast support he gave to deceased former President Mohammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s poster-child of honesty, transparency and accountability. His unreserved and indefatigable support for the deceased president was demonstrated in the roles he played as the National Legal Adviser of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) 2011-2013; Chairman of the Legal Team of the CPC Presidential Campaign Organization, 2011; and as member of the Merger Committees between the CPC, ACN , and ANPP which led to the formation of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2013.
His efforts and contributions in these positions contributed to the victory of the APC in the 2015 general election, the election of Buhari as President, and to his record making appointment, at forty eight years of age, as the minister of justice and Attorney General of the Federation – making him, at that time, the youngest member of the Cabinet .
Still relatively young, successful, and financially comfortable, Abubakar Malami is a coolheaded, diligent, and a self-assured person who is unambiguously loyal to his convictions. His self-effacing and introspective personality are attributes that marks him out as a thinking and forward looking political leader.
While he could be loyal and committed to individuals and institutions, he is also a person who pays greater premiums to accountability and deeds that are in the overall best interest of the society. His antecedents show that he is a person who values issues about justice and accountability lin leadership and governance.
Political Vision, Ideological Stance & Leadership Engagement
As a founding architect of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and one who also served as a justice minister in the first APC Federal Government of the country, Malami has no illusion of the role the rule of law, transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance play in maintaining social cohesion and societal harmony in the country. Thus, the pursuits of these values sums the direction and focus of his vision, his ideological stance, and his leadership drives. His considered opinion is that corrupt, unaccountable and exclusionist leadership and governance are inimical to national development, and the building of social cohesion and national unity. Thus, his political engagement is decidedly centered on confronting the reprehensive governance unaccountability and exclusionism that characterizes the present APC federal government.
This stance and leadership engagement explains his teaming up with other political allies of the late former president Mohammadu Buhari from across the country who joined the National Opposition Coalition Group (NOCG), and who worked assiduously to build a formidable opposition alliance and political party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to rescue the country from the unaccountable and exclusionist governance principles of the present APC federal government.
As an erstwhile chief law officer of the country who dedicated himself to the recovery of public stolen assets stashed in offshore jurisdictions, coordinated the implementation of the Asset Recovery Campaign of the Federal Government of Nigeria, and who assisted the former president, Mohammadu Buhari, in the drafting of Executive Bills, such as the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Bill 2017; Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit Bill 2017; Proceeds of Crime Bill 2017; Public Interest Disclosure and Witness Protection Bill, 2017; among others, which strengthened the fight against corruption and promoted public accountability, and transparent governance, Abubakar Malami is alarmed by the disdain for transparency and accountability that is being exhibited by the president Bola Tinubu led APC federal government, a development which undermines past works, and which is fueling the runaway corruption that is threatening the well-being of Nigerians. Thus, his opposition to the present state of affairs in the country lies in his conviction that wanton corruption, opaque and unaccountable governance principles are direct treats to the social and economic progress of the country – and therefore, must be resisted.
Coming from the backgrounds of law and order, Malami is a keen advocate of the centrality of the rule of law, and of justice, public order, and public accountability in leadership and in governance. This makes him a natural ally of those who are of the opinion that indiscipline, corruption, and impunity are the major bane of the social and economic travails of Nigeria. This positions Malami as a political leader who has a clear understanding of the most debilitating ailments of the Nigerian society. His politics which is rooted in law is centered on the advocacy for discipline, transparency, and accountability in governance.
Influence & Networks
Having served as the chief law officer of the country, as the position of Attorney General of the federation connotes, Abubakar Malami has obviously forged extensive connections to Nigeria’s top elite, including some of the most influential personalties in business and politics. This in turn enamors him with substantial influence in the country’s leadership circles, making it possible for his voice to be heard in the corridors, halls, and courts of state power.
Advocacy & Social Contributions
As a legal professional who has garnered substantial experience on both the bar and the bench, and who is a consummate public administrator, and an emerging political leader of note, Abubakar Malami is establishing himself as a leading voice in the advocacy for good governance predicated on anti-corruption, transparency, and public accountability. Thus, he associates himself with the group of political leaders who are committed to rescueing the country from its worsening decline caused by run away corruption, and the unaccountable exclusionist mal-governance of the present APC federal government.
Malami is a public spirited individual who shows concern for the less privileged and vulnerable members of society. Thus, he established two charitable organizations, the Kadi Malami and Khadimiyya for Justice and Development Initiative (KJDI), as platforms of giving back to the society, especially the underprivileged ones in the North West.
The Khadimiyya for Justice and Development Initiative (KJDI), focuses on facilitating access to justice for citizens, and helping people from rural communities in improving their living condition through the provision of basic social amenities. The organization supports them with foodstuffs, medical care, water supply, and employment opportunities.
It is on record that at the height the COVID-19 pandemic, KJDI facilitated the securing and distribution of soft-loan credit facilities amounting to ₦3.2 billion to nearly 5,900 people in 21 local government areas of Kebbi state, Malami’s home state, for poverty alleviation and youths empowerment. The foundation is also known to have made substantial financial donations to flood victims, and provided 236 boreholes to rural communities across the state.
Business & Economic Interests
Prior to his stint in public office, Abubakar Malami, beginning from the time when he headed the K. T. Turaki & Co. Law chamber from 1997 to 2002, to when he founded and became the Principal Partner of A. A. Malami & Co., had ran a very successful private legal practice from which he became financially stable and comfortable.
The returns and accruals from his law practice made it possible for him to invest in other businesses, with his main investment thrust focused on Education, hospitality, and entertainment. He is presently associated with Rayhaan University, a private university in Kebbi state, at which he is the chairman and pro-chancellor, and the Azbir Arena, a high end event and entertainment center. His investment in Rayhaan university demonstrates his desire to contribute to resolving the age-long challenge of combating the education imbalance, and the dearth of tertiary learning institutions, in the northwest states of the country.
Personal & Social Life
Abubakar Malami is married to two wives, one of which is the daughter of Nigeria’s late former president, Mohammadu Buhari. He also has many children, some of which are involved in the operations and running of his private businesses.
A detribalized, accommodating, and socialable person, Malami plays host to many high end events such as marriages, birthdays, and anniversary celebrations in his Azbir Arena, which is a major entertainment and hospitality hub in Birnin Kebbi, the capital city of Kebbi state.
Strategic Goals & Future Directions
As one of Nigeria’s most vibrant emergent politician, Abubakar Malami, who is one of the closest political ally of former President Mohammadu Buhari while he was alive, is posited to be a credible torchbearer of Buhari’s goal of steering Nigeria’s leadership paradigm in the directions of prudence, transparency and accountability. His record and achievements while he served as the Attorney General of the federation shows that he has set his sights on the goal of engendering good governance based on prudence, transparency, and accountability, as both a strategic goal, and as the direction of his political vision. Hence, it could be assumed that his membership of, and engagements, with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), whose larger objective is to reshape Nigeria’s political framework and leadership culture, is aimed towards the furtherance of these strategic goals.
Prognosis and Final Words
Abubakar Malami comes along as an idependent minded, honest, and public-spirited legal professional and politician who is a committed advocate of honesty, transparency, and accountability in governance and leadership. Having unsuccessfully contested for the governorship of Kebbi state in 2014, it is highly likely that, as the governance culture and leadership performances continues to deteriorate around the country, Malami may very well consider putting himself on the ballot for the 2027 Kebbi state governorship race – to steer the state to social and economic progress base on the principles of prudence, transparency, and accountability which he advocates and believes in.
In conclusion, Abubakar Malami’s profile is one of loyalty, prudence, and transparent and accountable leadership. As a lawyer, jurist, and a politician, he paints himself in the colors of discipline, law, and orderliness, while focused on the vision of realizing a corruption free and prosperous Nigeria – a profile which eminently qualifies him as one of Nigeria’s most inspiring emergent political leaders whose vision, advocacy, and aspiration will contribute significantly to the socio-political look and feel of Nigeria in the years to come .
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