Girie’s Bid for Adamawa Gov’ship Gains Momentum as Grassroots Movement Spreads Across the State
…I reflected not on faces but on impact, my mind immediately rested on Dr. Salihu Bakari Girei, whose achievements in the education sector had shaped the experience of countless children”
By Tom Garba
The governorship aspiration of Dr. Salihu Bakari Girei is rapidly transforming into a full-fledged movement across Adamawa State, as an increasing number of residents, community leaders, technocrats, farmers, students and political stakeholders continue to publicly declare support for his emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer in the 2027 gubernatorial race.
What began as scattered endorsements from individuals who admired his work has now evolved into a groundswell of unified voices insisting that the state deserves his brand of leadership; one rooted in competence, vision, and a legacy of tangible achievements.
Across Yola, Girei, Hong, Madagali and other local government areas, the sentiment is the same: Dr. Girei stands out as a uniquely qualified figure whose past service in education and public administration provides a clear blueprint for the kind of future Adamawa residents desire.
Most of the endorsements emerging in recent weeks are not driven by political associations or personal connections, but by the impact he has left on communities, schools and families throughout the state.
This was captured vividly by Mr. Tönamonashi Odede Wilson, a supporter from Yola who openly declared that he came to admire Dr. Girei without ever meeting him.
Wilson explained that his admiration was born during a casual conversation with Hajiya Saadatu Babaji, a highly respected community figure whose views often provoke deep reflection.
When she asked him who he considered the most suitable personality to govern Adamawa, he found himself reflecting not on familiarity or political alignments but on the concrete legacies left behind by those who had served.
“I reflected not on faces but on impact,” he said, explaining that his mind immediately rested on Dr. Salihu Bakari Girei, whose achievements in the education sector had shaped the experience of countless children.
He recalled how, as Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Girei’s leadership produced visible changes; renovated classrooms, modern teaching environments, improved access to education and the steady refinement of school infrastructure.
These, he believed, were the marks of a leader who understood that governance must be felt, not just spoken about. In his words, Dr. Girei’s work “campaigned for him silently and effectively,” leading him to support a man he had only come to know through the change he brought to communities. “He is a good man with a lion’s heart,” Wilson declared.
His views were echoed by Mr. Iyke Nnamni, a long-time resident of Adamawa State who said he had personally benefited from Dr. Girei’s generosity.
Nnamni’s enthusiastic endorsement captured in his repeated chant “Sai Bakari, Sai Girei, Sai Salihu!”—captures the growing energy among supporters who believe the former education administrator represents a new era of purposeful leadership.
Much of the growing enthusiasm for Dr. Girei stems from his long and impactful journey through education, public administration and community development. Supporters often recount this trajectory with pride, describing him as a man who has risen from modest roots to attain global academic exposure and national leadership roles, all while staying deeply connected to his community.
According to Hon. Ishaq B. Aliyu, who has followed Dr. Girei’s career closely, the governorship hopeful embodies the story of hard work and excellence.
Born and raised in Girei, he commenced his education at what is now known as Lamido Lawal Primary School, before moving on to Government Day Secondary School, Girei. From there he proceeded to the University of Maiduguri, graduating with his first degree before obtaining a second degree from the University of Jos.
His academic journey eventually took him to the United Kingdom, where he earned a PhD from the prestigious University of Sussex.
Upon his return to Nigeria, Dr. Girei joined the Federal College of Education in Yola as a lecturer, steadily rising to become Dean of the Faculty of Education. His academic contributions were far-reaching: he published more than thirty scholarly journals, authored five books and participated in numerous international conferences that expanded his exposure to global trends in educational development.
His transition into public administration occurred under the government of former Governor Murtala Nyako, who appointed him Director-General of the State Planning and Project Unit (SPPU).
His performance in that role paved the way for his appointment as Chairman of the Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), where he is widely credited with delivering one of the most ambitious and far-reaching educational transformations in the state’s history.
As Director-General of the state planning and Project Unit (SPPU), Dr. Girie pioneered the establishment of Farming Skills Acquisition Centres and rolled out the Local Apprenticeship Scheme across the state.
He also spearheaded the creation of Technical Training Centres and introduced conditional cash transfers targeted at indigent and vulnerable groups.
This innovative social protection initiative so impressed the then Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, that she personally visited to study it. The programme subsequently served as a key model that contributed to the design and nationwide rollout of the SURE-P initiative in Nigeria.
Dr. Girie’s achievements touched every sector critical to the state’s development, driving economic growth and lifting thousands out of poverty. These were transformative policies with the potential to fundamentally alter the developmental trajectory of the state for generations to come.
Supporters highlight how, under his oversight, thousands of new classrooms were constructed, model schools were established across all local government areas, teachers and supervisors were empowered with mobility support, and school environments received critical upgrades.
His achievements later earned him another key position; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, where he continued to serve with integrity and commitment.
To many Adamawa residents, these accomplishments represent the kind of experience and credibility that should guide the state into the future. As one enthusiastic supporter, Mr. Bakari Liman, declared in Hausa, “Muna tare da Dr dari rana. Allah ya bamu nasara”—a testimony to the confidence many now place in his leadership.
While many recognise Dr. Girei for his contributions to education, his supporters also point to his well-articulated vision for transforming agriculture, which remains the backbone of the state’s economy.
This vision, they argue, is precisely what Adamawa needs at a time when farmers are struggling with inadequate infrastructure, limited access to modern tools and high post-harvest losses.
According to Mr. Lado Salisu M. Garba, who passionately endorsed Dr. Girei’s candidacy, the former SUBEB chairman has a detailed and practical understanding of what must be done to uplift the agricultural sector.
He described a future administration under Dr. Girei as one that would prioritise modern farming techniques, support farmers with improved seeds, fertilizers and mechanized tools, and ensure the provision of rural infrastructure such as feeder roads, irrigation facilities and storage centres.
He added that Dr. Girei’s policies would encourage youth participation in agribusiness, strengthen cooperative societies and protect farmers through pricing policies that ensure fair returns on their labour.
Garba believes these measures would reposition Adamawa as a leading agricultural hub in Nigeria, creating jobs, enhancing food security and empowering thousands of rural households.
Others who share this belief include Mr. Hamman Laminu, who responded with optimism, saying “Allah ya bamu nasara,” confident that Dr. Girei would bring meaningful change to the agricultural sector and beyond.
Endorsements Continue to Pour In
From the northern part of the state to the southern communities, testimonies about Dr. Girei’s character, competence and impact continue to surface. Mr. Umar Farouq Lamza described him as a “mutumin kirki” and “wakilin makarantun Adamawa,” phrases that portray him as a good man and a true representative of the state’s educational sector.
His endorsement reflects the widespread recognition of Dr. Girei’s contributions not only to formal education but to human capacity development as a whole.
In Madagali, Mr. Robert Samson, a lecturer at the College of Education in Hong, recalled meeting Dr. Girei in the United Kingdom in 2018. He described him as “a very good person, gaskiya,” and fondly remembered the warmth and humility Dr. Girei displayed during their interactions abroad.
As the 2027 election season inches closer, the drumbeat of support continues to grow louder. More voices are joining the call for the APC to nominate Dr. Salihu Bakari Girei as its gubernatorial candidate, pointing to his wealth of experience in governance, his deep academic grounding, his visionary approach to development and his track record of results in every public position he has held.
For now, the momentum appears not only steady but accelerating, as Adamawa residents across diverse sectors rally behind a man many believe embodies the leadership qualities needed to usher the state into a new era of progress and stability.
