A frontline governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Adamawa State, Dr Salihu Bakari Girei, on Thursday declared that no other aspirant contesting for the party’s 2027 governorship ticket enjoys his level of grassroots support across the state.
Girei stated this during a consultation meeting with APC stakeholders and party faithful in Mayo Belwa Local Government Area of the state.
The former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs said the massive turnout that greeted his visit was a clear indication that party members and ordinary citizens had already identified with his aspiration.
According to him, some aspirants seeking endorsement as consensus candidates were doing so out of fear because they lacked acceptance among the people.
“They know they cannot match our grassroots strength. That is why they are running around looking for shortcuts instead of facing party members,” he stated.
The aspirant said Adamawa people were tired of politicians who only appear during elections without understanding the suffering and realities facing rural communities.
Girei, who also served as Executive Secretary of SUBEB and senior director at UBEC and TETFund, said his humble background gave him better understanding of poverty and hardship.
He recalled how he struggled during his university days after his father retired from civil service without receiving gratuity for years.
“I know how poor people feel because I passed through hardship myself. There was a time I survived with only two shirts and one trousers in school,” he said.
Girei maintained that Adamawa needed a leader with practical experience in governance, education and community development.
He promised that if elected governor, he would expand educational infrastructure, improve teachers’ welfare, build more health centres and create jobs for youths.
“I remain the only aspirant with the exposure, experience and genuine connection with the grassroots to move Adamawa forward,” he added.
Director-General of the SBG Governorship Campaign Council, Chief Phanuel Elias Mosu, urged supporters not to be distracted by political rumours, insisting that the 2027 election would be free and credible.
Former Head of Service of Adamawa State and ex-Federal Commissioner, Dr Louis Mandama, described Girei as a tested administrator with the capacity to govern the state effectively.
Also speaking, former Commissioner for Information, Yohanna Mathias, said the people of Mayo Belwa and its diverse ethnic groups were solidly behind Girei because of his track record and accessibility.
Party leaders in the area said the visit had strengthened confidence among members ahead of the 2027 political contest.
