As the All Progressives Congress (APC) conducts its governorship primaries in Adamawa State today, three high-profile appointees have resigned from their respective positions to contest in the race, joining 35-year-old businessman and politician, Abdulrahman Bashir Haske, widely regarded as a leading contender.
Among the aspirants is Comrade Mustapha Salihu, former APC National Vice Chairman (North-East) and a prominent party stakeholder in Adamawa State, who officially stepped down from his party role to participate in the gubernatorial contest.
Also in the race are Tijjani Galadima and Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas, both of whom recently resigned from federal appointments to pursue their political ambitions.
Galadima vacated his position as Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) to obtain the APC nomination form. Similarly, Namdas, a former member of the House of Representatives, previously served as House Spokesperson, Chairman of the House Committee on Army, and North-East representative on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Governing Board.
Abdulrahman Bashir Haske is increasingly gaining prominence in Adamawa politics ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election. The 35-year-old indigene of Yola combines a strong political lineage with significant academic and business credentials.
A graduate of Information Systems from the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Haske also holds executive certifications from Lagos Business School and Manchester Business School. He has played a key role in managing and expanding his family business interests across multiple sectors, including agriculture, ICT, construction, logistics, oil and gas, aviation, and artificial intelligence.
Notably, he is credited with owning the largest rice mill in Northeast Nigeria and is a member of the Institute of Directors (IoD).
His political career within the APC has been marked by grassroots engagement and growing popularity among young party members. Observers note that his family background—featuring a maternal grandfather with political influence and a father with a successful business track record—has further strengthened his profile.
In a significant political development ahead of today’s primaries, frontline aspirant Chief Joel Hammanjoda Madaki announced his withdrawal from the race and formally endorsed Haske.
The move is widely seen as a strategic effort to consolidate support and build momentum around Haske’s candidacy, positioning him strongly as the party enters the decisive phase of its internal electoral process.
Haske has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for fostering a level playing field within the APC, describing him as a leader committed to fairness, inclusivity, and internal democracy.
He also praised the Federal Government’s efforts to promote youth participation in politics, highlighting the impact of the “Not Too Young to Run Act, 2018.” According to him, the law’s implementation represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s democratic development.
Haske noted that his candidacy stands as evidence of the opportunities created by the reform, reinforcing the importance of youth inclusion in governance and leadership.