Abdulrahman Haske, an aspirant for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Adamawa State, has cautioned against the imposition of candidates through consensus. He insisted that any such arrangement must emerge from negotiation, broad consultation, and demonstrable popular support.
Consensus as Negotiation, Not Dictation
Speaking during a media parley with journalists, Haske argued that while consensus remains a legitimate option within party processes, it must be driven by negotiation and collective agreement rather than dictated outcomes. The 35-year-old governorship hopeful maintained that popularity and electability should be the primary considerations in determining candidates, noting that even under a consensus arrangement, aspirants must be properly assessed.
Referencing the leadership style of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Haske suggested that political relevance and grassroots appeal remain central to candidate emergence within the ruling party. He stated, “Being young today doesn’t disqualify me if I meet the requirements of the Electoral Act. Consensus is an engagement; it’s like a business negotiation. It is not a military rule. People don’t really understand how politics is being done or the kind of person President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is. For him, the most important thing is: what is your popularity as a politician?”
He added, “You cannot just come with ‘paper weight’ and say you must be the governor. If I am being assessed and there are other parties in the race, there must be a proper assessment. It’s not about giving me the ticket. Consensus is a negotiation, it’s not ‘tomorrow we are giving this one the ticket.’”
Confidence Amid Growing Permutations
Haske’s remarks come amid growing permutations within the Adamawa APC, where multiple aspirants are believed to be jostling for the party’s ticket in what is expected to be a keenly contested primary. While acknowledging the possibility of consensus, he expressed confidence that he would remain competitive under any arrangement.
The aspirant also dismissed concerns about his age while positioning himself as part of a new generation of leaders capable of driving economic transformation in the state. Drawing parallels with past leaders who assumed office at relatively young ages, he insisted that his background in the private sector has equipped him with the discipline and managerial expertise required for governance.
He said, “I think I am ten steps ahead of my contenders. In terms of grassroots mobilisation, I happen to fall number one. It might be because I fall between the generations and they feel there is ‘their own’ in the race now.”
He further argued, “Was anybody ever born a governor? No. You just take up the seat. You need a good team, a policy document, and a strategy. When people say ‘he’s not a technocrat’ or ‘he’s not been in an office,’ those are mere excuses. Abraham Lincoln contested from councillor until he got to the presidency. Donald Trump was a businessman and became President. So, all this idea of ‘he’s not a technocrat’ or ‘he’s just a journalist’—if you’re not a good journalist, would you find yourself interviewing the elite? I am a businessman; we decided to come back and serve our state.”
Private Sector Discipline for Governance
According to him, the private sector offers a template for accountability and efficiency that is largely missing in public administration. “In business, one naira plus one naira is two naira; it cannot be eleven. That is the kind of discipline I am bringing into governance,” he said.
Economic Vision Anchored on Agriculture
Central to Haske’s campaign is an ambitious economic plan anchored on agriculture and wealth creation, which he described as the most sustainable pathway to addressing poverty in Adamawa. He outlined a vision that includes large-scale agricultural investments and value chain development, citing his experience in agribusiness, including involvement in rice production.
“If you have done something before, it becomes easier to scale. We are talking about building systems that will reduce post-harvest losses and create real value,” he said.
He also questioned the logic of food storage infrastructure being concentrated in other parts of the country despite the North’s production advantage. “Why should a state like Lagos be building food banks with produce coming from the North, while Adamawa is not thinking of becoming a major food reserve hub?” he queried.
According to him, reducing dependence on federal allocations through wealth creation would strengthen the state’s economic base and improve living standards.
Support for Reforms, Emphasis on Subnational Action
While expressing support for the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration, Haske acknowledged the hardship faced by citizens and stressed the need for subnational governments to cushion the effects. He argued that sustainable relief lies in empowering citizens economically rather than relying solely on government intervention.
“A hungry child cannot go to school. If we create wealth and opportunities, we reduce dependence and build a sustainable society,” he said.
Cautious on State Policing
On security, particularly in the North-East, the aspirant acknowledged the challenges facing the region but adopted a cautious stance on the proposed state policing framework. He noted that while the idea may be well-intentioned, its implementation requires careful consideration. “We have good policies in Nigeria, but implementation is always the problem. I am still studying how state policing will work before taking a firm position,” he said.
Confidence in Grassroots Support
Addressing concerns about party structure and possible manipulation of the primary process, Haske expressed confidence in his grassroots support, insisting that popular backing would outweigh internal manoeuvring. “I may not be the anointed candidate, but I can be the people’s choice. When the people unite behind a candidate, it becomes difficult to manipulate the process,” he said.
Personal Background and Governance Promise
Providing insight into his background, Haske traced his motivation to personal experiences, including being raised by his mother after the early loss of his father. On governance, Haske emphasized accountability and inclusiveness, promising to run a transparent administration if elected. He argued that leaders with independent economic backgrounds are more likely to uphold accountability, as they are not driven by the need to accumulate wealth in office.
“I am not coming into government to make money. I am coming to serve,” he said. “People are looking for something new. If young people can build successful businesses, they should also be trusted with governance.”
