Dr. Girie, Boya, Aminu, Haske. Who’ll Be Adamawa’s 2027 APC Flag Bearer?

Tom Garba

As the 2027 gubernatorial primaries loom, the Adamawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is keenly focused on the prospects of four individuals. To see who will lead the charge in an attempt to wrest control of the state from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

With incumbent Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri nearing the end of his second term, the political landscape is set for a reshuffle. During his tenure, Governor Fintiri has overseen some notable infrastructure projects, including urban renewal efforts in Yola and the establishment of model schools.

However, it’s widely believed among APC stakeholders that the ideal candidate should possess a solid track record in administration, deep-rooted connections within the community, and a history of making a real difference. Such a leader would ideally build upon existing accomplishments while addressing ongoing challenges like youth unemployment, agricultural output, and educational equity.

The main contenders; Dr. Salihu Bakari Girei, Hon. Barr. Aliyu Wakili Boya, Engr. Ahmed Tijjani Galadima Aminu, and Abdulrahman Bashir Haske, each offer their unique set of strengths.

This report offers an examination of their backgrounds and previous contributions, evaluating their potential to unite the party, appeal to Adamawa’s diverse electorate, and ensure stable governance going forward.

Based on available public records, recent initiatives, and observations gathered from stakeholders as of November 2025, this analysis leans toward Dr. Girei as the most promising choice to position the APC for victory.

Dr. Salihu Bakari Girei, who is 54, and hails from Girei Local Government Area, has spent his career centered around education and development.

Holding a PhD, he has been the Director of Research & Development/Centres of Excellence at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) since 2022. Before that, in the mid-2000s, he served as the chairman of the Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board (ADSUBEB).

During his time at ADSUBEB, Dr. Girei was in charge of constructing and renovating hundreds of classrooms. He eliminated the practice of conducting classes under trees in 265 schools, and increased enrollment by over 30% in underserved areas.

Teacher training programs reached more than 5,000 educators. This helped Adamawa reach the top of the national Universal Basic Education rankings in 2008. His philanthropic efforts include scholarships for over 1,000 students, vocational centers in Girei and Yola, and agricultural support for 500 farmers in 2024.

At TETFund, he has facilitated projects worth over N5 billion for Adamawa institutions. These included research labs at the Modibbo Adama University of Technology and Adamawa State University, which were commissioned in November 2025.

These initiatives have helped to increase state literacy rates, from 52% in 2010 to 68% in 2025, while also creating jobs and enhancing security through community mediation.

Hon. Barr. Aliyu Wakili Boya, who is 47, represents the Fufore/Song Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. He was elected in 2023 under the APC.

A lawyer with chambers in Adamawa, he previously served as Fufore Local Government Chairman (2017–2022). He also holds the traditional title of Sarkin Matasa Adamawa.

In Congress, Boya chairs the House Committee on Police Institutions. He has sponsored bills for a Federal College of Education (Technical) in Fufore and a Federal College of Health Sciences in Song.

He secured N20 billion for the rehabilitation of the 86km Jabbi Lamba-Malabu road. He also installed over 5,000 solar streetlights and 30 transformers, and provided 10,000 dry-season farmers with inputs in 2024.

His constituency recruited 136 youths into the Nigeria Police Force in 2025. In October 2025, he was recognized as the North East’s Best Performing Legislator.

Boya’s efforts prioritize rural infrastructure and youth inclusion, with emergency relief for flood victims in Song LGA.

Engr. Ahmed Tijjani Galadima Aminu, who is around 50, has been the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) since December 2023. A chemical engineering graduate, he advanced through the ranks at PTDF, managing education and training before his appointment.

Under his leadership, PTDF has funded over 2,000 scholarships annually, established 15 Centres of Excellence in universities, and allocated N3 billion for research in 2025.

He supported the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies in Kaduna, commissioned in July 2025, and provided N1.2 billion for CNG training. While these national initiatives indirectly benefit Adamawa through skilled manpower and technology transfer, there are limited direct state-specific projects.

Abdulrahman Bashir Haske, approximately 37, is the Executive Director (Northern Region) of AA&R Investment Group. He oversees ICT, logistics, and agriculture. A graduate of the American University of Nigeria, he chaired the APC Youth Advisory Committee for a 2025 by-election.

Through family businesses, he has supported rice milling (48,000 tons annually), provided farmer inputs for thousands, and offered COVID-19 relief to over 14,000 residents.

His polo patronage funds youth academies, and he advocated for rural electrification in Demsa and Numan. His political activities include youth voter mobilization, which increased turnout by 15% in the by-election.

Each contender brings valuable strengths to the table: Boya excels in legislative advocacy and constituency-level projects; Aminu offers national policy influence within the energy sector; and Haske brings business-driven youth empowerment initiatives.

However, for the APC to have a shot at regaining power from the PDP, it will need a candidate who has executive experience in state administration, enjoys a unifying presence at the grassroots level, and has a proven ability to push for broad-based development. These are qualities that Dr. Girei appears to uniquely possess.

His leadership at ADSUBEB led to measurable statewide reforms, including everything from infrastructure improvements to enrollment increases, all without any controversies. His roles at TETFund have secured billions in direct investments for Adamawa’s education sector. This has created positive economic effects, such as job creation in technology and agriculture.

His philanthropic work spans across different ethnic lines. He mediates conflicts and supports vulnerable groups, which aligns with the state’s need for inclusive governance.

In contrast, Boya’s impact, while laudable, is mainly focused on his constituency; Aminu’s influence is largely at the national level; and Haske’s leverages private resources, but he lacks public sector executive experience.

Dr. Girei’s integrity, his academic credentials, and his history of working collaboratively across party lines, position him favorably to appeal to PDP-leaning voters. Furthermore, he is in a position to ensure fiscal discipline, and to implement an “education-first” agenda that addresses youth unemployment (around 35%) and food security.

Stakeholders have noted his increasing momentum, with recent endorsements and public acclaim as a “visionary reformer.” Add to that a series of public endorsements from various groups across the state, and it seems Dr. Girei has an edge at the grassroots level.

In a noteworthy press statement obtained by Tgnews, the Adamawa State Youths Forum anonymously endorsed Dr. Salihu Girei and called on the APC stakeholders to consider him as he is the viable way to reclaim Adamawa State from PDP in 2027.

“We are careful to call on the APC Critical stakeholders in the state as a matter of unity of purpose to factor in competence and those with cognizance experience to hold the scepter of leadership.

“Considering the fact that PDP the ruling party has in a wat got convinced by some certain policies of the present government. APC though a party to beat with a growing network of members coming from other parties as decampees if they fail to bring on board some that’s sellable it will be a big hudle to cross over to victory.

“‎We are now therefore presenting Dr Salihu Bakari Girei as already made, cooked and thorough breed politician to be supported for the noble course. Knowing the fact he has massive supporters across the state and has a well detailed structure in every local government.

“‎We should not fail to say that APC from 2019 to date has embroidered on inter party squabbles if care is not taking to bring on board a unified candidate it will still be a jeopardy for the party to succeed” Selecting Dr. Girei would equip APC with a flag bearer capable of seamless transition, equitable progress, and electoral success in 2027.

As primaries approach, the APC’s choice will shape Adamawa’s future. Dr. Girei’s blend of experience, results, and vision makes him the strategic leader to reclaim and elevate the “Land of Beauty.”