Former presidential aide and journalist, Dr. Ruben Abati, is under fire following a recent comment suggesting that students from Kebbi State gain unfair advantages in university admissions despite poor academic performance.
Speaking during a recent broadcast, Abati claimed that “A boy from Anambra will score over 300 in JAMB and be denied admission, while someone scoring 100 from Kebbi will sail into university and rise to permanent secretary or Supreme Court judge.”;
The statement has been widely condemned as a sweeping generalization that undermines the credibility and achievements of Kebbi indigenes in various sectors, including education, public service, and the judiciary.
One of the strongest responses came from Shamsu Aliero, a public affairs commentator and native of the state, who described Abati’s comment as “not just a gross misunderstanding, but defamation, tribal bias, and a catastrophic disservice to the truth and Kebbi State’s legacy.”;
Aliero argued that Kebbi has produced “intellectuals, seasoned professionals, senior advocates, and high-ranking civil servants”; who rose through merit, not favoritism.
“Your statement is not only factually bankrupt, it’s a disgrace to responsible journalism. It reinforces ethnic tension and fans the flames of division,”; he added.
He called on Abati to retract the statement and issue a public apology to the people of Kebbi and Northern Nigeria, warning that failure to do so could lead to legal or social action.
“The people of Kebbi will not allow their integrity and contributions to national development to be undermined by uninformed commentary,”; he concluded.
