Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has inaugurated a 600-member campaign council of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State, charging members to unite and build a formidable grassroots political structure ahead of the elections.

Malami, who unveiled the council’s Director-General alongside other members, said the inauguration marked the beginning of a coordinated campaign machinery aimed at taking the ADC’s message to communities across the state.

Speaking at the event, the former minister said the council was not created to promote individual candidates or political interests, but to provide a unified platform for all ADC candidates contesting elective positions in Kebbi.

He urged members to work as a single political family, stressing that the party’s governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly candidates must operate with a shared sense of purpose.

“This Campaign Council represents our collective ADC campaign. It is not about one candidate or one elective position. From the governorship to the Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly, we must work as one political family,” Malami said.

Malami identified tribalism, sectionalism and internal rivalry as threats to the party’s electoral prospects, urging members to ensure that no community, local government, senatorial district or individual feels excluded from the campaign.

He also called for reconciliation among party members, particularly where disagreements and grievances had emerged from previous political contests.

“Where there are disagreements, let us reconcile. Where there are grievances, let us listen. Where there is suspicion, let us rebuild trust. Our diversity must become our strength,” he said.

The former AGF specifically acknowledged the party’s senatorial candidates, including Gen. Aminu Bande for Kebbi Central, Garba Maidoki for Kebbi South and Chiroman Kabi, Alh. Mera, for Kebbi North, as well as candidates seeking election to the House of Representatives, State House of Assembly and other positions.

He urged campaign officials to embrace the principle of “One ADC, One Campaign”, warning members against publicly supporting the party while simultaneously undermining fellow candidates.

According to him, the success of any ADC candidate should be regarded as a collective victory for the party.

Malami further directed the campaign council to conduct its activities peacefully and with respect for political opponents and the electorate, warning against ethnic insults, hate speech and attacks based on political affiliation.

He reminded supporters that political contests were temporary, while relationships among communities would continue after elections.

“After the elections, we will still worship together, attend the same markets, celebrate together, mourn together and raise our children together. No political ambition is worth destroying those bonds,” he said.

The former minister also told members that their appointments should be viewed as a responsibility to serve rather than a reward or status symbol.

He charged the council to mobilise supporters, reconcile aggrieved members, engage citizens and strengthen the ADC’s grassroots structures across the state’s local government areas, wards and communities.

Malami said members would be judged not by the positions they occupied but by their ability to mobilise communities, resolve disputes, engage voters and expand the party’s support base.

He urged the newly inaugurated officials to return to their respective communities as ambassadors of the ADC and work towards ensuring broad participation in the party’s campaign.

Reiterating his message of unity, Malami said: “We choose unity over division. We choose cooperation over rivalry. We choose reconciliation over bitterness. We choose respect over insults. We choose service over personal interest.”

He described the inauguration as the beginning of a new phase of political mobilisation in Kebbi and urged the council members to rise above personal and sectional interests in pursuit of the party’s collective objectives.

“Today is not a reward for work completed. Today is the beginning of the work. Let us arise above our differences. Let us arise above tribalism and sectionalism. Let us arise together in service to our people. And together, let us make Kebbi State shine. Arise and Shine!” Malami declared.