2027: Kashim Defends Governorship Bid, Says Bauchi Needs Continuity With Fresh Ideas

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate for the 2027 Bauchi State election, Barr. Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim, has defended his ambition, saying his aspiration is aimed at consolidating the achievements of the Bala Mohammed administration while addressing the state’s remaining development challenges.

Kashim stated this while responding to an opinion article titled “Bauchi 2027 Guber Race: The Joke is on M.A and Kashim,” stressing that while public debate is healthy for democracy, the article departed from objective analysis and instead promoted a particular political interest.

In a chat with journalists in Bauchi yesterday, the former Secretary to the Bauchi state government said he was proud of the role he played in promoting and defending the policies of Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration, describing it as both a constitutional and moral obligation during his tenure in office.

He noted that the administration recorded significant achievements in infrastructure development, institutional reforms, investment promotion and inclusive governance, adding that those accomplishments belong to the people of Bauchi state and should be sustained.

Kashim, however, maintained that celebrating the successes of the outgoing administration should not prevent honest assessment of areas that still require improvement.

According to him, poverty reduction, youth unemployment, healthcare delivery, quality education, agricultural productivity, industrialisation, water supply and job creation remain critical issues that demand urgent attention.

“Every administration, regardless of its successes, leaves behind unfinished business. Recognising these realities is not a criticism of the outgoing administration; it is an honest acknowledgement that governance is a continuous process,” he said.

The NDC candidate also dismissed suggestions that his previous role in government obliges him to support any individual perceived as the sole custodian of Governor Bala Mohammed’s political legacy.

He argued that the 2027 governorship election should not be reduced to a contest between continuity and discontinuity but should instead focus on building upon existing achievements through fresh ideas, practical solutions, measurable outcomes and renewed energy.

“My vision has never been to erase what has been achieved. Rather, it is to consolidate genuine progress, honestly confront existing shortcomings and accelerate development where the pace has fallen short of the expectations of our people,” Kashim stated.

He further stressed that leadership should be judged by commitment to the welfare of the people rather than loyalty to political personalities, urging voters to assess candidates based on competence, integrity, vision, character and their capacity to deliver meaningful results.

Kashim expressed confidence that the electorate would make informed choices after evaluating the programmes, track records and ideas of all contestants instead of relying on political endorsements or narratives.

He added that his campaign would present a practical roadmap aimed at building a more prosperous, secure and inclusive Bauchi state.