2027: I’ll use unity to fight poverty in Adamawa — APC guber aspirant

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — A governorship aspirant in Adamawa State, Dr Salihu Girei, on Monday said he would use unity as a practical tool to fight poverty, insisting the state’s diversity must be harnessed for development, not division.

Poverty remains widespread in the state despite its abundant human and natural resources, a trend Girei said requires deliberate policies anchored on inclusive growth and social investment.

Girei, an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, spoke in Abuja shortly after submitting his nomination form, outlining priorities across education, youth empowerment, healthcare, women’s development and agriculture, while expressing confidence in a credible electoral process.

He pledged free, quality education for all children, irrespective of background, describing it as the foundation for long-term development.

On the state’s demographics, he noted that youths make up about 60 per cent of the population and said they must be equipped with practical skills to drive self-reliance as public sector opportunities shrink.

He added that women would be empowered through education and targeted skills programmes aimed at boosting household incomes and strengthening community resilience.

On healthcare, Girei said access to free services would be improved, especially for women and children in rural communities where vulnerability remains high.

Turning to agriculture, he said productivity remains low despite the state’s agrarian base, with farmers earning less while intermediaries benefit disproportionately.

According to him, correcting the imbalance across the agricultural value chain would be key to raising productivity and improving incomes.

“I understand poverty personally. I come from a humble background. My vision for Adamawa State is centred on unity and prosperity,” he said.”

On the political climate, the aspirant said the Adamawa governorship race is open and expressed confidence in a level playing field within the APC.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his democratic credentials and said reforms in the Electoral Act would ensure transparency, expressing optimism that the party’s candidate would emerge through a fair and competitive process.