Over 300 Adamawa youth groups urge Dr. Bakari to contest 2027 guber election
A powerful coalition of more than 300 youth organisations under the umbrella of the Adamawa State Youths Forum has formally called on Dr. Salihu Bakari Girei to join the 2027 governorship race, describing him as the most competent, unifying and electable figure capable of reclaiming the state for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At a press conference held in Yola on Monday, Chairman of the Forum, Hon. Umar B. Yakubu, said the youths across the 21 local government areas of the state had taken time to assess the political landscape and the critical leadership needs of Adamawa State warranting their call for Bakari to throw his hat into the ring.
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According to him, the overwhelming consensus among the coalition’s membership is that Dr. Bakari stands out as the “ideal candidate” for the APC if the party is serious about winning the governorship in 2027.
Yakubu expressed gratitude on behalf of the youths to the APC leadership at the national and state levels including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, APC Vice Chairman (North East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, and the Adamawa APC Chairman for their continued dedication to internal unity and party consolidation.
He said their commitment has created an enabling environment for the youths to voice their expectations as stakeholders and major contributors to election victories.
He warned that the APC cannot afford to approach the 2027 governorship election with complacency or factional disagreements, stressing that past internal conflicts had cost the party dearly.
“If care is not taken to rally behind a unified, competent and widely accepted candidate, victory will remain elusive,” he cautioned.
The chairman argued that Dr. Salihu Bakari is widely regarded across Adamawa as a leader with exceptional administrative competence, unmatched grassroots mobilisation, strength and a deep network of supporters cutting across ethnic, religious and socio-political divides.
He submitted that Bakari’s long-standing loyalty to the APC and his consistent contributions to building the party since inception place him far above other aspirants.
Listing key attributes that make Bakari the preferred choice of the youths, Yakubu said, “Bakari possesses proven administrative competence and strong leadership experience and a well-structured grassroots mobilisation network in every local government area.
”His support base cuts across communities, faiths and political blocs. He has a verifiable track record of results in public service and community development. And has been a committed and loyal party man from inception.
”Our choice has heavily invested in education, skills acquisition and youth empowerment and has served as a rallying figure for community infrastructure initiatives across the state.
He also enjoys the confidence and support of APC elders, stakeholders and party officials,” he said.
Yakubu said these qualities have made Dr. Bakari not only electable but also “the most reliable path to APC’s victory in 2027.’’
He noted that while the PDP currently controls the state, it has become unsettled by the policy direction of the APC-led Federal Government and the influx of decampees into the ruling party. However, he emphasised that “goodwill alone cannot win elections” without a credible and sellable candidate.
The Forum therefore appealed to APC critical stakeholders in Adamawa to prioritise competence, experience and broad acceptability when choosing the party’s gubernatorial flag bearer.
“Let us not repeat the mistakes of the past. Let us seize this moment to consolidate, unite and conquer,” Yakubu said.
Describing Bakari as “the bridge to victory in 2027,” the coalition urged APC elders, women, youths and the general membership of the party to rally behind what they referred to as a “noble and necessary cause.”
