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๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Ex-Bauchi SSG joins SDP, declares governorship ambition

From The Punch · (57m ago) English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Barrister Ibrahim Kashim, former Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, has defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
  • He declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Bauchi State.
  • Kashim cited concerns over underdevelopment in agriculture, education, and poverty alleviation as his motivation for seeking the governorship.

Barrister Ibrahim Kashim, the immediate past Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, has officially joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and thrown his hat into the ring for the 2027 governorship election. This move follows his resignation from Governor Bala Mohammed's administration in December 2024 and his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in July 2025.

Reform in a society and in governance has to be done not on a whimsical basis. It has to be guided by laws and proper processes.

โ€” Ibrahim KashimExplaining his approach to governance and reform if elected.

Kashim articulated his decision during a media chat in Bauchi, emphasizing his deep concern over the underdevelopment plaguing key sectors such as agriculture, education, and poverty alleviation within the state. He believes his extensive experience in public service has equipped him with the necessary knowledge to implement reforms that will significantly improve governance and the living standards of Bauchi residents. His vision for reform is anchored in structured, law-based processes rather than arbitrary decisions, aiming for consistent policies that yield tangible improvements.

The SDP is an old party. It was the platform on which Moshood Abiola won the election. The fact that it has not produced many elected candidates in recent times does not mean it lacks structure.

โ€” Ibrahim KashimJustifying his choice of the SDP as his political platform.

Choosing the SDP, Kashim highlighted its strong historical legacy, referencing its role in Moshood Abiola's past presidential victory. He acknowledged the party's limited electoral success in recent times but stressed that its underlying structure remains robust and present across the state. Kashim expressed confidence in the electorate of Bauchi State, whom he described as independent-minded and capable of prioritizing competence over party affiliation, pointing to the state's political history as evidence. He extended an invitation to members of other parties, including the PDP and APC, to join the SDP in a collective effort to reposition Bauchi State.

The stateโ€™s political history shows that candidates are elected based on credibility rather than party dominance.

โ€” Ibrahim KashimExpressing his belief in the voters' ability to choose based on merit.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.