NILDC Adamawa Calls on Dr. Salihu Bakari Girei to Contest 2027 Governorship Election

By Umar Zubainatu Kambari

The Adamawa State Chapter of the Nigeria Indigenous Languages Development Council (NILDC) has called on Dr. Salihu Bakari Girei to contest the 2027 governorship election in the state, citing his track record in education and public service.

The call was made during a press conference organised by the Joint Council of NILDC on Thursday,at the Nurses House Conference Hall in Jimeta, Yola.

Addressing stakeholders, council members and journalists, the Chairman of NILDC in Adamawa State, Elder Joshua Napa, said the decision followed consultations with the council’s executive members, board of trustees, advisory council and local government coordinators across the state.

He described Dr. Girei as a seasoned educationist and administrator who has contributed significantly to the development of education in Adamawa State and at the national level.

According to the council, Dr. Girei began his academic career in 1993 as an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Educational Foundations at the Federal College of Education (FCE), Yola, rising to the rank of Chief Lecturer.

He later served as Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Commission in Abuja, Assistant Director and Special Assistant at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), and Coordinator of International Training and Support in Adamawa State.

He also served as Chairman of the Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Commissioner in the Ministry for Local Government Affairs.

He is currently Director of Research and Development in the Centre of Excellence Department and a member of top management at TETFund, a position he has held since 2020.

Highlighting his achievements as SUBEB Chairman under former Governor Murtala Nyako, the council stated that Dr. Girei oversaw the establishment of 51 model primary schools across the 21 local government areas of the state.

He was also credited with the construction and rehabilitation of over 4,000 classrooms in primary and junior secondary schools, the establishment of six model boarding schools, and the distribution of free school uniforms to girls and Primary One pupils to boost enrolment. Monitoring vehicles and motorcycles were also procured to strengthen supervision across schools in the state.

The council further noted that Dr. Girei holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Maiduguri, a Master’s degree in Sociology of Education from the University of Jos, as well as a Master of Arts in International Education and a Ph.D. in Education Policy and Equity from the University of Sussex.

He was also conferred with the traditional title of “Wakilin Makaranta” by the Lamido of Adamawa in recognition of his contributions to education and community development.

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Parmata Ishaya, a former secondary school teacher of Dr. Girei, explained why she joined the council in calling on him to contest.

“We may not know other aspirants, but we know Dr. Salihu Bakari. I want to testify that he is the right material for this position,” she said.

Mrs. Ishaya stated that she had known him since his secondary school days and was close to his family. She added that significant development took place in primary schools across the state during his tenure as Chairman of the UBE Board, noting that he has a genuine passion for education.

Drawing from her 28 years of experience in the education sector, she also stressed the need for realistic education policies, pointing to population growth as a major challenge affecting the sustainability of free education in the country.

In his remarks, Elder Napa also addressed speculations regarding Dr. Girei’s ethnic background.

“Dr. Salihu Bakari Girei is not Fulani. According to our findings, he is Gudu by tribe, one of the ethnic groups in Adamawa State, particularly in Song Local Government Area,” he said.

He added that Dr. Girei’s mother is Zai by tribe from Maiha Local Government Area and urged the public to disregard contrary claims.

“If you go to Girei and ask for Bakari Gudu, people will understand immediately. That is the name associated with his father. We want to clearly correct that impression,” Napa stated.

The council maintained that with Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s tenure expected to end in 2027, the state would require experienced and credible leadership, and therefore called on Dr. Girei to join the race.

The press conference was signed by Elder Joshua Napa, Chairman of NILDC, Adamawa State Chapter.