The Kebbi State Government has dismissed allegations by Senator Garba Musa Maidoki that he was denied the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for re-election because of his criticism of insecurity in the state.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Nasir Idris, Ahmed Idris, described the claim as misleading and an attempt to explain the senator’s failure to secure the party’s nomination.
Maidoki had alleged during an appearance on Channels Television that his outspoken comments on insecurity in parts of Kebbi South, particularly the Zuru axis, contributed to his loss in the APC primary election ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Responding to the allegation, the state government said insecurity remains a collective responsibility involving government, security agencies, traditional institutions, and local communities.
“The Senator also claimed that he joined politics primarily to fight insecurity because his people were being killed. This assertion is far from the truth and appears to be a mere attempt to justify his political setback,” the statement said.
The government argued that if insecurity was Maidoki’s main reason for seeking office, voters were entitled to evaluate his performance and decide whether he deserved another term.
“Even if we accept his claim that he entered politics to address insecurity in the senatorial district, it is only fair to ask what measurable impact he has made toward achieving that objective,” the statement added.
The state government also rejected suggestions that Governor Idris influenced the outcome of the APC primary, insisting that the governor respects democratic principles and does not determine the political fate of elected officials.
According to the statement, political success is determined by performance, public acceptance, and the confidence of party members and voters, not by the governor’s personal preference.
The government further maintained that significant progress had been made in addressing insecurity in the Zuru Emirate and other affected areas, noting that improved security had enabled many residents to return to their communities and farmlands. It urged Maidoki to accept the outcome of the primary election and avoid statements capable of misleading the public.
