One of the leading governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress in Adamawa State, Salihu Bakari Girei, has warned the party against presenting what he described as a weak candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
Girei gave the warning during separate consultations with party stakeholders, supporters and loyalists in Madagali, Michika, Mubi North and Mubi South local government areas of the state.
The former Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board urged party members to consider competence, experience and electoral strength in choosing the party’s governorship candidate.
“The greatest mistake APC can make is to hand over its ticket to someone who cannot win an election,” he said.
Girei said his years in public service and achievements in different positions had prepared him to govern the state effectively.
According to him, his administration at SUBEB constructed storey classroom blocks across the state, distributed free school uniforms to pupils and ensured prompt payment of teachers’ salaries and incentives.
He also recalled his tenure as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, saying he facilitated salary support for local government councils struggling to pay workers.
The APC chieftain added that he initiated programmes aimed at empowering women and youths while attracting projects to tertiary institutions through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
“These achievements were recorded when I was not even governor,” he stated.
Girei also unveiled what he called a “Ten Covenant Document for Adamawa State”, which he said would serve as his development blueprint if elected governor in 2027.
He pledged to prioritise education through the provision of free learning materials, training and retraining of teachers, and improved welfare for education workers.
The governorship aspirant further promised to tackle poverty, improve healthcare delivery, strengthen traditional institutions, enhance security, provide rural infrastructure and reform the civil service.
Girei commended the administration of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, saying the state should not allow inexperienced politicians to reverse the gains already recorded.
“Governor Fintiri has performed credibly well for the state and Adamawa should not jeopardise its future by entrusting leadership to amateur politicians,” he added.
Earlier, the Director General of the SBG Campaign Organisation, Hon. Phanuel Elias Mosu, described Girei as a tested administrator with visible achievements across Adamawa State.
Mosu said the aspirant possessed extensive knowledge of the state and remained one of the few aspirants whose public service record could easily be verified by residents.
He appealed to party members to support Girei during the APC governorship primary election, expressing confidence that he would take the state to greater heights if elected.
Party faithfuls who spoke during the meetings commended Girei for his integrity, honesty and commitment to public service and pledged support for his governorship ambition.
