Why I Chose a 36-Year-Old As My Running Mate — Kano ADC Governorship Candidate

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Kano State, Ibrahim Little, has unveiled Abdulkadir Bari as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election, saying he chose the 36-year-old Information and Communication Technology professional because he wants to assemble a team capable of “resetting” Kano and addressing its developmental challenges.

Little announced Bari’s selection at a press conference in Kano on Sunday. Bari is also an educationist from Rogo Local Government Area of the state.

He outlined education, healthcare, youth development, infrastructure and economic empowerment as key priorities of his proposed administration if elected.

Little also identified drug abuse among youths as a major challenge requiring urgent government intervention.

“We will give special attention to that, to make sure that young people, men and women who have the misfortune of drug abuse are rehabilitated, educated and equipped with skills,” he said.

On education, he promised to improve infrastructure and service delivery across basic, secondary and tertiary institutions while expanding access to quality education and reducing the number of out-of-school children.

He also pledged to strengthen public healthcare by addressing shortages of infrastructure, medicines and medical personnel.

The candidate promised social welfare programmes for vulnerable groups, including widows, orphans and elderly people without caregivers.

He said his administration would prioritise skills acquisition and vocational training, particularly in areas such as electrical work, plumbing and other trades, with a view to creating opportunities for skilled workers locally and abroad.

Little further promised to revive industries and establish clusters for cottage industries in animal husbandry, poultry, fisheries and household goods production.

He said the initiative would help transform Kano from a largely consumer-driven economy into a productive one.

The ADC candidate also pledged to promote youth participation in governance and politics based on competence rather than family connections.

“You don’t have to be anybody’s son or daughter to be able to achieve that. We are going to provide that environment,” he said.

He urged Kano residents to support the ADC, saying the party had a clear plan to reposition the state as a major economic and industrial centre.