The immediate past Secretary to the Bauchi State Government and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Barrister Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim, has joined the 2027 gubernatorial race on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Speaking during an interaction with journalists on Monday, Kashim said it is disheartening that Bauchi remains one of Nigeria’s poorest states despite its enormous natural and human resources.
He argued that only a homegrown industrial revolution can revive moribund industries such as Steyr Automobile Assembly Company, the Fertilizer Blending Company, Allind Cables and Wires, and the Bauchi Meat Factory to drive grassroots development.
A former Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Kashim noted that Bauchi is one of the largest producers of rice, tomatoes, peppers, and other crops. He said that during his tenure in Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration, before his resignation, he drafted several bills that improved internally generated revenue (IGR) and led to the establishment of an infrastructure maintenance agency, among other reforms.
On his choice of the SDP, Kashim said he was happy to have left the PDP before it “exploded.”
“We are happy to have a knowledgeable electorate in Bauchi State who don’t vote for big parties but for credible candidates across different political parties,” he said.
“We have seen it happen in the past and it will happen again. Our people know who they want and they know how to pick their preferred candidates, even from the so-called minor parties.”
Commenting on plans by the governor and others to defect from the PDP, Kashim said: “They are welcome to join our party’s ideology. We have a people-oriented ideology and we believe we will make changes when we get to power.”
“Of course, they’re free to join us. I can’t stop people from coming to our party, but I know I’m not stepping down for anyone. We will go for the primary and I’m confident of winning the ticket.”
On his relationship with his former principal, Governor Bala Mohammed, Kashim said he respects the governor for giving him the opportunity to serve as Director-General of the Bauchi State Bureau of Public Enterprises and Privatisation, and later as Secretary to the State Government. “We have a good relationship, but not a political relationship,” he said.
“When I decided to contest the gubernatorial ticket, I wrote to him. He also visited us when I lost my father last month.”
Responding to allegations of corruption while in office, Kashim challenged anyone to prove he mismanaged public funds. He said he has never been probed, faced a panel of inquiry, or been charged to court during or after his tenure as SSG.
“What people don’t know is that a Secretary to the Government does not have power to approve or spend a kobo without the knowledge of the governor. I have never touched any money that belongs to the government,” he said.
