The Kebbi State Government has rejected allegations by the African Democratic Congress, ADC, linking it to the demolition of a property near Azbir Hotel along Sani Abacha Bypass in Birnin Kebbi.
The government described the allegations as false, misleading and politically motivated, demanding a public retraction and an unreserved apology from the opposition party.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmed BK, stated this during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Monday, November 2, 2026.
He accused the ADC of spreading unverified claims and misinformation to damage the image of Governor Nasir Idris's administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on the demolition, the commissioner said the incident was a private land dispute between individuals and had been wrongly presented on social media as an action by the state government against property belonging to an opposition member.
He said a businessman, Umaru Mohammed Gulumbe, who claimed ownership of the disputed land, presented documents, including a Certificate of Occupancy signed by former Governor Adamu Aliero.
According to Ahmed-BK, "Gulumbe had formally reported the alleged trespass to the Police and petitioned the Ministry of Lands and Housing."
He added that committees set up to investigate the matter examined the competing claims and confirmed ownership of the property in favour of Gulumbe.
The commissioner insisted that the state government neither ordered nor participated in the demolition, describing attempts to link Governor Idris's administration to the incident as an effort to mislead the public.
He expressed disappointment that the ADC had yet to withdraw its allegations or apologise despite what he described as evidence clarifying the ownership dispute.
Ahmed-BK also accused the opposition party of using sensitive issues to gain political attention ahead of the 2027 elections.
He recalled an incident on September 1, 2025, when former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, allegedly arrived in Birnin Kebbi with supporters from Sokoto for a condolence visit, which he claimed was followed by attacks on APC offices and vandalism of vehicles.
The commissioner also questioned casualty figures attributed to Malami following the June 2025 attack in Tadurga, Zuru Emirate.
He said Malami had reportedly claimed that 200 people were killed, while subsequent reports cited by the government indicated that fewer than 30 people died.
He challenged Malami and the ADC to explain the difference in the figures.
The commissioner further criticised statements attributed to ADC chieftain Abubakar Shehu Koko, which he said could create divisions between residents of southern Kebbi and other parts of the state.
He warned political leaders against making statements capable of promoting mistrust and threatening peaceful coexistence.
Ahmed-BK urged residents to disregard unverified information and demand evidence before accepting serious allegations against public institutions or individuals.
He also highlighted the development programmes of Governor Idris's administration, saying political discussions should focus on verifiable facts and government policies rather than speculation.
The commissioner demanded that the ADC officials responsible for the allegations immediately withdraw their claims, clarify the circumstances surrounding the demolition and apologise publicly to the Kebbi State Government.
He warned that the government would consider legal action if the party failed to comply, saying it was necessary to protect the government's reputation and institutional integrity.
Kebbi govt demands apology from ADC over demolition allegations