Kakale: APC Government Losing Popularity in Kebbi, Faces Growing Public Discontent.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu Democracy Newsline Northern Bureau Chief
August 15th, 2026.
The All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government in Kebbi State is increasingly losing public confidence amid concerns over insecurity, inadequate infrastructure and what critics describe as a lack of visible development across the state, a candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Usman Kakale, has alleged.
Kakale, who is contesting for a seat in the Kebbi State House of Assembly to represent Bagudo, made the remarks while reacting to comments attributed to Governor Nasir Idris during an interview with Democracy Newsline Newspaper.
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According to Kakale, he expected the governor’s interview to focus largely on the achievements of his administration and the development challenges facing Kebbi State. Instead, he said, much of the discussion appeared to centre on political personalities and the activities of individuals considered to be opponents or critics of the administration.
“I expected to hear the governor speak about development and the achievements of his administration, but I was disappointed that much of what I heard was directed at political personalities and issues surrounding them,” Kakale said.
The ADC candidate also questioned the governor’s account concerning the role played by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, in his emergence as the APC governorship candidate and during the election campaign.
Kakale alleged that there were previous video recordings in which the governor acknowledged receiving support from Malami during the political process. He therefore challenged the governor’s latest account, urging the public to compare the different statements and determine the consistency between them.
He also disputed some aspects of the governor’s account of his entry into politics, claiming that certain details presented in the interview did not correspond with what he described as the political history of events in the state.
Concerns Over Insecurity
Beyond the political disagreements, Kakale raised concerns about the security situation confronting communities in Kebbi State.
He argued that insecurity has become one of the major issues that should command the attention of any serious government, particularly in rural communities where residents depend heavily on farming and movement between villages and local markets.
According to him, insecurity does not only threaten lives and property but can also undermine agricultural production, discourage investment, disrupt trade and force residents to abandon economic activities.
Kakale maintained that a government cannot convincingly claim to have delivered meaningful development if citizens are unable to move freely, cultivate their farms or conduct their businesses without fear.
He called for greater attention to security, particularly in vulnerable rural communities, while urging the government to strengthen collaboration with security agencies and community stakeholders.
Infrastructure and Development Deficit
Kakale further criticised what he described as insufficient infrastructural development in parts of Kebbi State.
He pointed to concerns over roads, access to basic public services, water supply, healthcare, education and other facilities that directly affect the daily lives of residents.
He argued that development should not be measured solely by political announcements or isolated projects but by the extent to which ordinary citizens experience tangible improvements in their communities.
According to him, poor roads and inadequate infrastructure can worsen the impact of insecurity by making some communities difficult to access, while also increasing the cost of transporting agricultural produce and other goods.
He said rural communities, which constitute an important part of Kebbi’s economic base, deserve greater investment in roads, irrigation, healthcare, schools, electricity and other essential infrastructure.
Kakale said the combination of insecurity, inadequate infrastructure and what he described as growing dissatisfaction among citizens could have political consequences for the APC in the state.
He argued that political popularity cannot be sustained indefinitely without corresponding improvements in the lives of the people.
“The situation shows that the APC government in Kebbi is facing serious challenges and growing dissatisfaction among the people,” he said.
He urged the government to concentrate more on issues affecting ordinary citizens rather than allowing political disagreements to dominate public discourse.
Kakale’s comments come against the backdrop of continuing political competition in Kebbi, where opposition parties are seeking to present themselves as alternatives to the ruling APC.
However, the allegations and criticisms made by Kakale could not independently be verified at the time of filing this report, and the governor’s administration would be entitled to respond to the issues raised.
For many residents, however, the central questions remain broader than the ongoing political exchanges: whether security can be strengthened, whether basic infrastructure can reach underserved communities, and whether government programmes can translate into measurable improvements in the everyday lives of citizens.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER 15TH AUGUST, 2026)
