The immediate past Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, Ibrahim Kashim, has defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in the state.
Kashim resigned from Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration in December 2024 following a directive from the governor. He later left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in July 2025.
He disclosed his defection and ambition on Sunday during a media chat with journalists in Bauchi.
The former SSG said his decision to join the governorship race was driven by concern over underdevelopment in key sectors such as agriculture, education, and poverty alleviation.
He said his experience in public service has equipped him with the knowledge needed to drive reforms that would improve governance and living standards.
Asked what he would do differently if elected, Kashim stressed the need for structured reforms anchored in law rather than arbitrary decisions. “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,” he said.
He added that while all challenges cannot be addressed at once, deliberate and consistent policies could significantly improve the state.
On his choice of the SDP, Kashim described the party as one with a strong historical background, noting that it was the platform on which Moshood Abiola won the 1993 election. “The fact that it has not produced many elected candidates in recent times does not mean it lacks structure,” he said.
Kashim stated that the SDP has established structures across the state at the ward, local government, and state levels, and that members have been working to strengthen its grassroots presence.
He expressed confidence that voters in Bauchi State are independent-minded and tend to prioritise competence over party affiliation. According to him, the state’s political history shows candidates are elected based on credibility rather than party dominance.
Kashim called on members of other political parties, including the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC), to join the SDP in what he described as a collective effort to reposition the state. He maintained that his ambition is driven by a desire to promote development and improve the welfare of the people, expressing optimism that voters would support his candidacy in 2027.
