The screening committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to contest the 2023 Kebbi governorship election.

A document seen by Peoples Gazette conveyed Mr Malami’s clearance to run, stirring controversy in the political sphere since the AGF had already withdrawn his governorship ambition, in order to retain his ministerial appointment.

President Muhammadu Buhari had last week issued a directive ordering all political appointees to resign before contesting in the forthcoming general elections.

It is unclear if Mr Malami has turned in his resignation to pursue his political quest in compliance with Mr Buhari’s directive or if he was waiting for the supreme court interpretation of the contentious section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act 2022.

The Gazette could not immediately reach Mr Malami for comments as his line and that of his spokesperson, Umar Gwandu, were not reachable at the time of filing this report.

A series of political appointees have sparked public outrage after they went against political norms to seek elective positions without resigning.