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From Adesuwa Tsan, Yola
A 35 year-old gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdulrahman Bashir Haske, on Saturday formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Adamawa State, unveiling a seven-point policy framework he said would drive economic growth, social development, and security.
He made the declaration at Ribadu Square in Yola, before a crowd of party leaders, traditional rulers, stakeholders, and supporters drawn from across the 21 local government areas of the state.
“Today, the 25th of April, 2026, before Almighty God, before the traditional institutions of this state, and before tens of thousands of witnesses assembled here at Mahmud Ribadu Square in Yola: I, Abdulrahman Bashir Haske, formally and publicly declare my intention to contest the governorship of Adamawa State in the 2027 general elections,” he said.
The aspirant said his decision followed extensive consultations within and outside the state, as well as encouragement from residents who, he noted, had followed his interventions through the AB Haske Foundation.
Haske used the occasion to acknowledge the efforts of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, commending his administration for “verifiable progress in healthcare, road connectivity, security cooperation, and fiscal discipline.”
“The foundation he is building, and his developmental strides will continue under my agenda, because Adamawa deserves committed leadership in every generation,” he added.
At the national level, he expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, praising what he described as “difficult, structurally necessary reforms,” including the removal of fuel subsidy and exchange rate reforms.
“History will recognize the long-term wisdom of those decisions. Adamawa affirms its confidence in your continued leadership of our great nation,” he said, declaring “full, enthusiastic, and unequivocal support” for Tinubu’s second-term bid.
Central to his declaration was the unveiling of the “A.D.A.M.A.W.A FIRST” agenda, a policy blueprint anchored on seven key pillars.
Under agriculture and agro-industry, Haske promised to build a ₦300 billion export-oriented economy, create one million jobs, and establish a ₦200 billion agricultural guarantee fund. He also proposed a “Great Canal Project” to enable year-round farming, noting that his existing 48,000-tonnes-per-annum rice mill had already created over 5,000 jobs.
On infrastructure, he pledged to rehabilitate a minimum of 25 kilometres of roads annually in each local government area, expand access to renewable energy, and ensure clean water and digital connectivity across communities.
In the social sector, the aspirant promised to rehabilitate 500 schools, recruit 3,000 STEM teachers, and expand the state health insurance scheme to cover one million residents within 36 months, with subsidies for vulnerable groups.
He also outlined plans for youth inclusion through access to capital and skills development, alongside technology-driven governance to improve service delivery and reduce leakages.
On governance, Haske pledged transparency and accountability, vowing that “every naira of public money” would be digitally tracked, with open budgeting and independent oversight mechanisms.
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He further proposed a public-private partnership-driven economic growth model to support farmers, traders, and entrepreneurs, while integrating all local government areas into the state’s value chain.
Addressing security, he announced plans to establish an Adamawa Security Trust Fund to be financed through state resources, private sector contributions, and federal partnerships. He said the initiative would deploy technology-driven solutions, strengthen intelligence gathering, and support community-based conflict resolution mechanisms.
“The Adamawa Security Trust Fund… will modernize our security forces with technology and intelligence systems… Dialogue Councils in all 21 LGAs will address the root causes of farmer-herder conflict and communal clashes. Every life in Adamawa will be protected with no exception,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Haske appealed to young people for support, noting that over 60 per cent of the state’s population is under the age of 30.
Citing former leaders such as Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Muhammed, and Buba Marwa, he argued that youth should not be excluded from leadership on account of age.
“The Not Too Young To Run Act of 2018 confirmed what every young person in Adamawa already knows: you are qualified, you are capable, and you have every right to lead,” he said.
Framing his candidacy as a call to service, Haske added: “Today, I am not asking you to give me power. I am asking for the honour of serving you. There is a difference — and that difference is everything.”
Speaking at the event, APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, commended the growing participation of young people in politics and reforms within the party aimed at lowering entry barriers.
He revealed that the APC had introduced a 50 per cent discount on nomination forms for aspirants under 40, following sustained advocacy for youth inclusion.
According to him, while he had initially pushed for free nomination forms for young aspirants, the party settled for a discounted framework to encourage broader participation.
“It is our joy to see young people contesting for offices across Nigeria today. We have seen young lawmakers emerge and perform well, and we want to see more,” he said.
Israel noted that the turnout and mobilisation at Haske’s declaration reflected growing acceptance, adding that the ultimate decision would rest with the people of Adamawa.
He urged party members, particularly youths, to obtain their APC membership and voter cards ahead of the primaries, stressing that the nomination process would remain open and competitive.
“What Haske has done is that he has made a chair and brought it to the table. The national chairman of the party has said anybody can buy form and if you truly believe that you love your brother and son, go and get the APC membership card and voters card to show your true love. You are a young man and we want to see more of you and to encourage you to continue the good work you are doing and we won’t disappoint you,” he said.
