From Khalid Idris Doya, Bauchi
Barrister Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim, the 2023 People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Bauchi state, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election under the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Kashim, while speaking with journalists in Bauchi on Monday, described it as troubling that Bauchi State remains among the poorest in Nigeria despite its vast natural and human resources.
Kashim who is a immediate past Secretary to the Bauchi State Government (SSG), stressed that the state’s economic revival depends on a homegrown industrialisation strategy capable of resuscitating dormant industries such as the Steyr Automobile Assembly Company, Fertiliser Blending Company, Allind Cables and Wires, and the Bauchi Meat Factory. According to him, revitalising these industries would stimulate grassroots development and job creation.
Kashim noted that Bauchi is a major producer of agricultural commodities including rice, tomatoes, and pepper, adding that proper value chain development could significantly boost the state’s economy.
Reflecting on his time in government under Governor Bala Mohammed, he said he contributed to drafting key legislations that enhanced internally generated revenue (IGR) and led to the establishment of agencies such as the infrastructure maintenance body.
On his decision to join the SDP, Kashim said he was satisfied leaving the PDP before what he described as its internal crisis. He expressed confidence in the political awareness of Bauchi voters, noting that they prioritise credible candidates over party dominance.
“Our people are politically conscious. They vote for competence, not just party size. We have seen this happen before, and it will happen again,” he said.
Addressing speculations about pos
sible defections into the SDP, Kashim welcomed new entrants but made it clear he would not step down for any aspirant.
“They are free to join our party, but I am fully in the race. I will contest the primaries and I am confident of securing the ticket,” he added.
On his relationship with Governor Bala Mohammed, Kashim said it remains cordial but not political. He acknowledged the governor for giving him the opportunity to serve in key roles, including Director-General of the Bauchi State Bureau of Public Enterprise and Privatisation and later as Secretary to the State Government.
He also revealed that he formally informed the governor of his governorship ambition and noted that the governor paid him a condolence visit following the recent death of his father.
Responding to allegations of corruption during his tenure, Kashim challenged anyone to provide evidence of wrongdoing. He maintained that he was never investigated, queried, or charged to court over any misconduct.
“A Secretary to the Government does not have the authority to approve or spend public funds independently. At no point did I mismanage government resources,” he stated.
Recall that the Governor Bala Mohammed contested for PDP presidential ticket during the 2023 general elections but he lost and following that, Kashim who had earlier emerged as PDP governorship candidate in May, 2022 primaries honourably stepped down on June 2022 to allow Bala Mohammed to return and seek for re-election as the governor of Bauchi state in 2023.
After Bala’s re-election, Kashim was reappointed as the Secretary to the State Government but in December 2024 resigned from that role as well.
