From Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi
The Bauchi State governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Barrister Ibrahim Mohammed Kashim, has pledged to make education free if elected governor during the 2027 general elections.
He also pledged to make the state more productive through agriculture and local investments.
Barrister Kashim, a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), said after his election as the NDC governorship candidate, said his focus would be to move Bauchi State away from heavy dependence on others to being dependent on its local economy.
He said large-scale farming across all local government areas would be pursuid as a strategy for job creation, food security, and economic expansion.
Kashim thanked the party leadership and delegates for the confidence reposed in him, describing his nomination as a mandate to offer purposeful leadership.
He expressed optimism that the NDC would emerge as a strong contender and spring surprises in the 2027 governorship election.
He outlined key development priorities for Bauchi State, noting that despite its population growth, landmass, and natural endowments, the state had yet to fully translate its potential into economic prosperity.
“This honour is not mine alone, it belongs to every young person searching for opportunity, every farmer striving to make a living, every mother hoping for a better future for her children, and every community yearning for development,” he said.
He said that Bauchi State is richly endowed, from the fertile lands of Katagum to the communities in Bauchi Central and the resilient people of Bauchi South, adding that the state has the potential to thrive if properly harnessed.
However, he lamented persistent challenges affecting citizens across the state, including unemployment, poverty, weak infrastructure, and underperforming public services.
“Our youths are eager to work but lack opportunities. Our farmers work hard but earn too little. Our schools exist, but many do not equip our children for the future,” he said, adding that the current situation does not reflect the Bauchi people deserve.
Barrister Kashim pledged raise the standard of education where he intends to give free education to all State indigenes.
Kashim said he will reduce the number of our of school children by improving local. Quranic. School to embrace Western education.
Speaking after the exercise, the Bauchi State Chairman of the NDC, Ibrahim Maigari, commended party members for their unity and discipline, saying the party was steadily building momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.
The primary election, was supervised by officials from the party’s national secretariat and chaired by Paul Daniel, head of the electoral committee for the Bauchi governorship primary.
Kashim emerged as the party’s flag bearer through voice vote and unanimous affirmation by delegates after a motion was moved, seconded, and adopted at the congress.
