The embattled chairman of the All Progress Congress (APC) in Sokoto, Isa Sadiq-Achida, has criticised Justice minister Abubakar Malami (SAN) for comments on the party’s situation in Sokoto.

Mr Sadiq-Achida stated this at a press conference on Monday in Sokoto, accusing Mr Malami of abusing his office.

”It was glaringly unfortunate for Malami to drag his exalted office to the mud being the AGF and the chief law officer of the federation to openly preempt the court’s judgment,” he explained.

The Sokoto APC chair added, “By Malami’s singular act of recognising a faction of APC in Sokoto state, having known that the matter is still pending before a Court of Appeal, the minister had breached the sanctity of the constitution and his oath of office, which requires him not to allow his personal interest to influence his official conduct.”

He further called on the acting APC national chairman to expel Mr Malami “because of his numerous roles in destabilising APC in Sokoto, Kano, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Kwara states, among others.”

According to him, Malami and ex-Governor Ibrahim Shekarau’s presence at a function in Sokoto is a calculated attempt to disrupt the party’s unity in the state.

Mr Sadiq-Achida further claimed that ”if Shekarau had any expertise in political manipulation,” he should redirect it to achieving his ambition of controlling the APC in Kano rather than Sokoto.

”The duo came to Sokoto with a single mission of destabilising the APC in Sokoto state. We feel bold to tell them that they lost party control in their states, in Sokoto also, their mission is dead on arrival,” he added.

Mr Sadiq-Achida stressed that he addressed the press conference on behalf of senators, Sokoto House of Assembly and House of Representatives legislators, elders’ committee, state and local government executives, etc.

”APC supporters should disregard the utterances of Malami and Shekarau and remain united in support of APC leader, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, who ensured the party’s progress at all levels,” he urged.

Mr Malami had, on Sunday, publicly endorsed a factional chairman of APC in Sokoto, Mainasara Sani, during his address at the distribution of empowerment tools to constituents by Balarabe Salame (APC- Gwadabawa/Illela).

The minister’s recognition of Mr Sani as Sokoto APC chairman triggered widespread reactions and criticisms among APC loyalists and residents.

There are ongoing legal disputes on the legality of the last APC state congress and who should be recognised as the authentic chairman between Mr Sani and Sirajo Abubakar.

Mr Abubakar and others had instituted a suit challenging the congress that produced Mr Sani as chairman. Another group led by Mr Sadiq-Achida also filed a joinder case and a separate suit.

Ms Sadiq-Achida had asked the court to restrain APC from recognising Mr Sani and others as officers and delegates of the ward, local government, and state congresses of the party held on October 13, September 14, and October 16, 2021, respectively.

(NAN)