News Investigators/ A pressure group within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi, has urged the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the state to consider the possibility of picking Paul Tase as his deputy.
The group under the auspices of ADC Unity Forum, appealed to Abubakar Malami, SAN, to pick Mr Tase as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election in the spirit of justice and fairness.
The Coordinator of the Forum, Garba Abdulkareem, made the appeal in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Birnin Kebbi.
NAN reports that Malami, a former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, has picked the ADC gubernatorial ticket in Kebbi for the 2027 general elections.
The statement noted that Mr Tase hails from Kebbi South Senatorial District, while Mr Malami is from Kebbi Central, believing that choosing Tase would ensure fairness and regional balance on the ticket.
“The Kebbi ADC Unity Forum today formally announces its emergence as a broad-based platform of party faithful, professionals, community leaders, youths, and women, committed to the growth, unity, and electoral success of the ADC in Kebbi.
“Our formation is inspired by a simple conviction: rescuing Kebbi from years of underperformance requires more than rhetoric.
“It requires unity of purpose, strategic thinking, competent leadership, and the courage to make decisions that serve the collective interest of our people,” it stated.
According to the statement, the forum resolves to actively contribute to building a strong, united, and victorious ADC capable of providing the quality leadership and transformational governance that the people of Kebbi deserve.
“As consultations intensify ahead of the 2027 governorship election, the Kebbi ADC unity forum respectfully calls on the party’s leadership and its gubernatorial candidate to give Tase a chance.
“We are therefore, appealing to the leadership and Abubakar Malami, SAN, to give careful and favourable consideration to Mr Paul Tase of Kebbi South as a potential deputy governorship candidate,” it pleaded.
The statement explained that the group had contacted Mr Tase, and he had graciously accepted to serve in that capacity if nominated by the party and its candidate.
“This recommendation is informed by merit, competence, experience, and political inclusiveness,” it said.
The forum noted that Tase was the Labour Party’s governorship candidate in 2023 general elections.
“He is a respected economist and administrator who retired from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) after serving with distinction.
“His wealth of experience in economic planning, resource management, institutional administration, and policy implementation is a valuable asset at a time when Kebbi urgently needs innovative economic leadership.
“Beyond his professional credentials, Mr Tase embodies the values of integrity, moderation, competence, and public service that should define the next generation of leadership in our state,” it added.
The forum argued that including a credible and accomplished son of Kebbi South on the ticket would strengthen the spirit of fairness, inclusiveness, and statewide ownership needed for the ADC to build a formidable coalition.
“Our intervention should not be misconstrued as an attempt to dictate outcomes, rather, it is a sincere contribution to an important conversation about assembling the strongest possible team for both electoral victory and effective governance.
“The Kebbi ADC unity forum believes elections are won not merely by personalities but by the strength of vision, credibility of the team, and confidence inspired in the people,” the statement said.
The forum pledged commitment to party unity, constructive engagement, grassroots mobilisation, and advancing the ADC as a vehicle for positive change in Kebbi.
It urged party leaders, stakeholders, and supporters to embrace consultation, mutual respect, and inclusiveness as they build a movement capable of ushering in a new era of prosperity, accountability, and development.
NAN