The Kebbi State Government has defended the administration of Governor Nasir Idris ahead of the 2027 governorship election, citing what it described as achievements in workers’ welfare, education, healthcare and infrastructure.

The government also accused the opposition African Democratic Congress of spreading false information and allegedly sponsoring political thuggery.

The governor’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Abdullahi Idris, made the claims in a statement on Sunday, saying the APC would base its 2027 campaign on the administration’s record.

Mr Idris said the administration had gained the confidence of civil servants through the payment of inherited pension and gratuity arrears and the regular settlement of workers’ entitlements.

He cited the position of the Kebbi State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, led by Comrade Murtala Usman, which he said had acknowledged the governor’s commitment to workers.

According to him, the government has paid more than N7bn in inherited gratuity, death benefits and pension arrears.

Education and teachers’ welfare

The governor’s aide also highlighted interventions in the education sector.

He said more than 3,000 primary and secondary schools had been rehabilitated, while 300 new schools were constructed and more than 2,000 teachers employed.

He added that the government extended teachers’ retirement age from 60 to 65 years and their years of service from 35 to 40 years.

Other measures cited included the implementation of a N75,000 minimum wage with arrears, increased students’ feeding allowances and allowances for primary school headteachers.

Healthcare and infrastructure

Mr Idris also cited interventions across Yauri, Shanga and Ngaski Local Government Areas.

These, according to him, include the construction of schools and hospitals, rehabilitation of healthcare centres with modern equipment and ambulances, construction of a multipurpose secondary school and improvements to township and intercity roads.

He added that a general hospital was being upgraded into a referral facility, while agricultural inputs and palliatives had also been distributed.

APC, ADC trade accusations

The government accused the ADC and its governorship candidate, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), of making what it described as baseless allegations against the APC administration.

Mr Idris also alleged that the opposition was linked to the destruction of APC billboards, posters and vehicles belonging to ruling-party supporters during recent violence in Jega.

He called on security agencies to investigate the incident and prosecute anyone found responsible.

The governor’s aide further urged traditional and religious leaders to encourage political supporters to maintain peace as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.

Malami’s campaign promises

The government also criticised promises made by Mr Malami in his Independence Day broadcast, particularly his pledge to ensure prompt payment of workers’ salaries and provide a befitting state secretariat if elected governor.

Mr Idris said the NLC had dismissed the promises as unnecessary, arguing that several of the issues raised had already been addressed by the current administration.

He pointed to the ultra-modern state secretariat inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu and the payment of inherited pension and gratuity arrears as evidence of the government’s performance.

The APC administration maintained that the ADC’s campaign should be judged against the achievements already recorded under Governor Idris.

With both parties positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 governorship election, the political contest in Kebbi is expected to intensify in the coming months.