A wave of political excitement swept through Adamawa State on Friday as thousands of supporters thronged the streets in a show of force for governorship hopeful, Dr. Girie Bakari Salihu, who formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The declaration ceremony, held shortly after his visit to the APC State Secretariat, drew over 4,000 enthusiastic supporters who chanted solidarity songs and waved party banners as the veteran education administrator and former public official unveiled what he described as a “10-point covenant document” for the people of Adamawa State.
Addressing journalists after meeting with the newly inaugurated APC state executives, Dr. Bakari said his visit was aimed at congratulating the party leadership and formally notifying them of his ambition to contest for the governorship seat.
“Gentlemen of the press, I was at the APC State Secretariat this morning to congratulate the newly elected executives and to formally inform them that I, Dr. Saliou Bakari Girie, have decided to contest for the governorship of Adamawa State under the flagship of our great party, the APC,” he declared.
The aspirant, who described himself as a grassroots politician and seasoned technocrat, said his decision was driven by decades of experience in public service and a deep understanding of the developmental needs of Adamawa State.
“I’ve worked in public service for at least 33 years — as a classroom teacher, lecturer, public administrator, policy implementer and policymaker. I believe Adamawa State will benefit immensely from my experience, leadership skills, and understanding of the people,” he said.
Dr. Bakari highlighted his extensive record in public administration, particularly in education and local government reforms.
He recalled serving as Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), where he said he spearheaded major educational reforms.
“I built at least 5,500 classrooms and established 170 new primary schools and junior secondary schools. We recruited over 17,000 teachers in four years, promoted neglected teachers, introduced free school uniforms, and strengthened school supervision across rural communities,” he stated.
He also pointed to his tenure as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, where he said he introduced reforms that tackled corruption and improved transparency in council administration.
“We introduced a cashless system and e-payment in local governments and fought corruption to a standstill. We also executed projects such as government lodges in all local government areas and modern abattoirs,” he said.
According to him, his administration would prioritize healthcare delivery, especially for women and children in rural communities.
“We provided funds for hospitals to offer free medical care for women and children under the age of five, and we intend to expand access to maternal healthcare across all wards,” he added.
At the heart of his declaration was a sweeping 10-point development blueprint which he branded a “covenant document” rather than a conventional political manifesto.
“This is not just a manifesto; it is a covenant with the people of Adamawa State,” he declared to loud applause from supporters.
Top on the agenda, according to him, is free and quality primary education for every child regardless of background.
“We are going to completely transform primary education. Our secondary schools will be fully equipped and functional, while higher institutions like Adamawa State University will be strengthened to effectively run critical programmes such as law and medicine,” he promised.
He also pledged massive investments in rural infrastructure, including roads, water supply, sanitation, and maternity clinics across the state’s 226 wards.
“So many women die during childbirth simply because healthcare facilities are absent in rural areas. We must change that,” he said.
Youth empowerment featured prominently in his speech, with the aspirant lamenting rising unemployment and hopelessness among young people.
“Over 60 percent of Adamawa’s population is 35 years and below. We must invest in skills development, employment generation, and restore hope to our youths,” he stated.
Dr. Bakari also promised aggressive women empowerment programmes, saying women bear the greatest burden of poverty and insecurity.
“When you empower a woman, you empower an entire household. There can be no meaningful development without addressing the challenges facing women,” he said.
On agriculture, the APC aspirant said his experience as a commercial farmer gives him firsthand understanding of the difficulties faced by farmers across the state.
“I own one of the largest functional farms in Adamawa State. Farmers are suffering because tractors are unavailable, inputs are inadequate, and yields are low. We must improve mechanized farming and value addition,” he noted.
He further pledged support for traditional institutions and vowed to sustain and consolidate the creation of new chiefdoms initiated by the current administration.
“The governor has done well in creating more chiefdoms. We will sustain and consolidate those efforts and expand where necessary,” he said.
Presenting himself as a candidate of continuity and consolidation, Dr. Bakari praised ongoing developmental efforts in the state while insisting that stronger leadership and strategic governance were needed to move Adamawa forward.
“Adamawa State, by the grace of God, will witness tremendous progress, continuity, and development under my watch,” he declared.
The declaration has already stirred conversations within political circles in Adamawa, with analysts describing the massive turnout of supporters as an early indication of growing momentum around his governorship ambition ahead of the APC primaries.
