Adamawa 2027: Girei recounts poverty struggle, vows to tackle hardship in Adamawa
Salihu Bakari Girei, a leading aspirant for the governorship of Adamawa State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, has spoken about the struggles behind his rise to prominence despite being the son of a classroom teacher.
Dr Girei made the remarks during his ongoing consultative visits to community leaders, party stakeholders and support groups in Maiha, Hong, Gombi and Song local government areas.
Reflecting on his early university days, the governorship hopeful recounted the hardship he endured while pursuing education.
“There was a time I spent 48 hours without food. For two weeks I survived on soaked garri. I used one sandal and two pairs of shirts for a whole year. I have experienced poverty and I understand its effects,” he said.
Dr Girei said his experience with hardship shaped his determination to fight poverty and improve access to education if elected governor.
“My administration will prioritise poverty eradication and the provision of quality education for our people. I am not in this race to enrich myself but to liberate the people from the shackles of poverty and poor education,” he added.
According to him, his understanding of the realities faced by ordinary families and the sacrifices required to obtain quality education gives him an advantage among those seeking to govern the state.
He also pledged to focus on rural development through the provision of potable drinking water, improved healthcare services and support for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, nursing mothers and children.
The APC aspirant called on party members and supporters to back his ambition during the party primaries and the 2027 governorship election, saying the collective effort would help build “the Adamawa of their dreams”.
Several speakers at the meetings described Dr Girei as a seasoned technocrat, democrat and administrator with a deep understanding of governance.
They expressed confidence in his ability to transform the state if elected and pledged their support towards the success of his governorship ambition.
Discussions during the visits also centred on strategies for strengthening grassroots mobilisation and driving Dr Girei’s campaign across the state.