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.
