By Najeeb Sani
The Kebbi Progressive Youths (KEPYO) has challenged the Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Campaign Council in Kebbi State, Hon. Sani Tadurga, and the party to concentrate on addressing what it described as serious credibility and accountability questions surrounding its governorship candidate.
KEPYO, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Comrade Ahmed Adamu, was reacting to recent demands by Tadurga that the Kebbi State Government account for the ₦627 billion allegedly received from the Federation Account since Governor Nasir Idris assumed office.
Adamu said there was nothing fundamentally wrong with an opposition party demanding accountability from a sitting government, noting that holding those in power accountable remained one of the essential responsibilities of the opposition in a democratic society.
He, however, said such demands would carry greater moral weight when those making them were themselves willing to subject their candidates to similar scrutiny.
According to him, “those who come to equity must come with clean hands,” adding that it was ironic for a political party to suddenly develop a strong appetite for accountability while ignoring serious questions surrounding its own flagbearer.
Adamu particularly questioned why the ADC had chosen to ignore the controversy surrounding properties allegedly linked to its candidate and the legal proceedings involving their forfeiture.
He said the party should first provide Kebbi people with satisfactory explanations on the issues surrounding its candidate before attempting to position itself as the moral authority on accountability.
“The people of Kebbi deserve accountability from everyone seeking public office, not selective accountability directed only at political opponents,” Adamu said.
The KEPYO spokesperson urged the ADC to “concentrate on explaining the elephant in its room,” insisting that the credibility of those seeking to govern Kebbi must remain a legitimate issue in the 2027 political contest.