Era of dominant political parties gradually ending — Bauchi NDC gov candidate

Former Secretary to the Bauchi State Government and governorship aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Ibrahim Kashim, speaks with UMAR SANI on his political ambition, reasons for leaving the PDP and SDP, his vision for Bauchi State, and the political permutations ahead of the 2027 general elections

Having observed the political atmosphere in Bauchi and at the national level, which has been plagued by litigations and conflicts in political parties, what is your assessment of the political environment ahead of the 2027 general elections?

I will say two things. There is a Hausa proverb that says, ‘If a rat is known for stealing, the food must also have a smell.’ The point is that while people often blame the APC for destabilising political parties, you cannot ignore the internal weaknesses within those parties themselves. The truth is that most political parties are responsible for their own crises. Apart from the NDC, which is still trying to maintain internal discipline, many parties are controlled by individuals who believe they own the structure and can override constitutional provisions and internal rules. No matter how powerful you are, anyone can go to court and challenge irregular actions, and the courts will rule accordingly. That is the reality facing most political parties today, including the PDP, SDP, Labour Party, ADC and others. The core issue is the lack of respect for internal democracy. Where party leaders act arbitrarily, aggrieved members will inevitably seek legal redress. In politics, once you give your opponent an opportunity, he will take it. Looking at the wider picture, I believe the era of dominant political parties is gradually fading. Even within the APC, once primaries are concluded, internal tensions will likely emerge. Injustice cannot endure indefinitely — it may persist for a while, but it will eventually give way. What we are witnessing is the consequence of internal contradictions within the political system. And this will not be limited to one party alone. Increasingly, politics is becoming candidate-driven rather than party-driven, especially in places like Bauchi State, where voters are more interested in individuals and their ideas than party labels. We have seen this pattern before — governorships and Senate seats changing hands despite incumbency advantages, simply because the electorate wanted change. At the end of the day, we will all present ourselves before the people, explain our records and intentions, and allow them to decide.

How would you rate the chances of NDC ahead of the general election?

When people become dissatisfied, they naturally begin to search for alternatives and hope. Over the past one and a half years, many political actors have been searching for such a platform, and increasingly, they see the NDC as that alternative. Every day, we are witnessing prominent figures joining the party, including lawmakers at the national level. This gives us confidence that our prospects are strong. The party has also zoned its presidential ticket to the South, which I consider a matter of fairness and political balance. After the years of northern leadership under President Buhari, it would not be justifiable to immediately insist on another northern Presidency after only four years. If Nigerians genuinely desire change, then such balance is necessary. That imbalance was one of the factors that weakened the PDP over time. At the state level, we remain confident because we are engaging citizens with clear policy ideas — pension reform, civil service reform, education, healthcare, and social welfare initiatives such as the Zakat and Waqf framework. We are not relying on political godfathers or endorsements. We are presenting ideas, and I believe the electorate will respond positively.

In your resignation letter as the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government in 2024, you mentioned that it was based on a directive by the governor. Can you clarify why he directed you to resign?

You see, the week I was appointed Secretary to the State Government, I understood clearly that it was a political appointment made at the pleasure of His Excellency. So, I wrote my resignation letter that same week. I actually showed it to him and asked him to keep it, so that anytime he felt dissatisfied with my performance, he could simply sign and date it and I would leave office. He declined and asked me to keep it, which I did. On one or two occasions, I had already decided to leave. I even invited some close associates — this can be verified. The current Emir of Alkaleri, the Chairman of the Bauchi State Project Monitoring Commission, Arc Muhammad Dadi, and Alhaji Musa Jibir all came to my residence at the SSG House, where I told them of my intention to leave. They advised me against it. On another occasion, the then state party chairman, Hamza Akuyam, also intervened and informed His Excellency. The governor called me, we discussed, and he asked me to stay on. That was the situation. Eventually, when it became difficult for me to continue, I met him on December 12 at his residence and we discussed it. He agreed that I should leave office. That is why I wanted people to understand that it was not a unilateral decision or an act of disrespect, but something mutually agreed upon.

There was a circulating rumour that you fell out with the governor, which led to him directing you to resign…

Honestly, I know nothing about that — absolutely nothing. If there is anything of such nature, then those making the claim should state it clearly, or perhaps the governor himself can clarify. But as far as I am concerned, I am not aware of any fallout.

Can we say you requested to leave office?

No, it is not just a matter of requesting to leave. It is something that was discussed and mutually agreed upon. You must also understand the context. I was not part of the governor’s 2019 campaign team. Yet in 2021, he brought me in and appointed me SSG. That is a gesture I deeply respect. There were initial challenges, especially from some stakeholders who felt I was an outsider. But over time, we worked through those issues and developed understanding. So, it would not have been appropriate to simply walk away. We sat down and reached a consensus.

What informed your decision to contest the governorship election?