Hanny Henry
A governorship aspirant in Adamawa State, Salihu Bakari Girei, has said his decision to run for office is driven by personal conviction and passion rather than external sponsorship.
Girei, who is seeking the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial ticket, made this known during a press briefing in Yola on Friday.
He pledged to prioritize education and the welfare of teachers, describing his agenda as a “covenant” with the people rather than a conventional political manifesto.
He said his life experiences, particularly hardship and deprivation, have shaped his resolve to improve the living conditions of ordinary citizens.
“I once starved for 48 hours during my early days at university. I understand deprivation because I have experienced it. I am committed to working hard to improve the lives of ordinary people if I emerge as governor of Adamawa State,” he said.
Girei explained that his father, a retired public servant, was not paid his benefits promptly at the time, which further compounded the family’s challenges.
He also recalled enduring other forms of hardship, including owning only one shirt and two pairs of trousers for several years. He vowed to improve the welfare of retirees, senior citizens, youths, and women if given the opportunity to lead the state.
An educationist, Girei has held several positions in the education sector, including serving as Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board and, more recently, as a Director at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). He said his passion for education would ensure the sector receives top priority under his leadership.
At the declaration event, Girei unveiled a “10-point covenant document,” emphasizing that it represents a sincere commitment to service rather than a typical campaign manifesto.
Speaking on agriculture, he noted that his experience as a commercial farmer gives him firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by farmers in the state.
“I own one of the largest functional farms in Adamawa State. Farmers are struggling due to the lack of tractors, inadequate inputs, and low yields. We must improve mechanized farming and promote value addition,” he said.
