*As Aspirant, Chief Madaki, steps down, backs Haske’s candidacy
As the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares to conduct its governorship primaries in Adamawa State on Thursday, leading aspirant, Abdulrahman Bashir Haske, has emerged as a strong grassroots contender following a wave of endorsements across the state’s 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
This is just as, in a decisive move for unity and progress, a frontline APC gubernatorial aspirant, Chief Joel Hammanjoda Madaki, has officially stepped down from the race, declaring his full support and endorsement for Haske.
This strategic development was made public earlier on Wednesday (today) during an emergency World Press Conference held by Chief Madaki. The decision marks a powerful turning point, consolidating strength and building an unstoppable momentum for the Haske movement as the party prepares for the primaries tomorrow.
In recent times, Haske’s support base has spanned critical segments of the party and society, including party stakeholders, traditional rulers, youth organisations, women groups, and professional bodies. The endorsements followed his extensive consultation and engagement tour, which covered the entire state in recent weeks.
The tour commenced on Monday, May 11, 2026, in the Southern Senatorial Zone, with visits to Ganye, Demsa, Guyuk, Jada, Lamurde, Mayo-Belwa, Numan, Shelleng and
Toungo LGAs.
The tour progressed through the Northern zone of the State covering Madagali, Maiha, Michika, Mubi North, and Mubi South and and subsequently culminated, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, with visits to Adamawa Central Zone, including Hong, Song, Gombi, Girei, Fufore, Yola North and Yola South LGAs.
The concluding phase of the tour recorded significant turnout, as party members and supporters gathered in large numbers to receive the aspirant. Similar scenes had been witnessed across previously visited LGAs, reflecting growing acceptance of Haske’s candidacy at the grassroots level.
Observers noted that throughout the exercise, Haske maintained a people-centred approach, engaging directly with community leaders and residents. The interactions provided an opportunity for him to listen to local concerns while outlining his vision for the state.
Speaking during the engagements, Haske said the consultation tour was designed not only as a political exercise but also as a platform to connect with citizens and develop a shared agenda for Adamawa’s development. He reiterated his commitment to inclusive governance, economic revitalisation, youth empowerment and sustainable development.
He also expressed appreciation for the reception accorded to him across the state, describing the endorsements as a reflection of the people’s desire for responsive and purposeful leadership.
Political analysts have described the completion of the statewide tour as a significant development in the lead-up to the 2027 gubernatorial election, noting that the scale of participation and endorsements positions Haske among the leading aspirants ahead of the primaries.
According to analysts, the breadth of Haske’s consultations across all 21 LGAs indicates an increasing demand among party members for leadership that is both accessible and development-focused.
They further observed that the feedback received during the engagements reflects concerns around economic growth, inclusivity and governance.
With the conclusion of the tour, supporters say the campaign has strengthened its grassroots network and broadened its reach across the state, reinforcing its standing within the APC ahead of Thursday’s exercise.
Haske had earlier formally declared his ambition on April 25, 2026, with the unveiling of his development framework titled the “A.D.A.M.A.W.A First Agenda.” The seven-point blueprint outlines policy priorities aimed at addressing key economic, social and security challenges facing the state.
In addition to his political aspirations, Haske is known for his philanthropic activities through the AB Haske Foundation, which focuses on youth and women empowerment initiatives. His contributions in this area earned him the African Humanitarian Award conferred by the African Heritage Awards (AHA).
He has also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for promoting internal democracy within the APC, noting that the administration’s approach has ensured equal opportunity for aspirants. He further lauded the party leadership, including the National Working Committee (NWC), for its commitment to conducting a transparent and credible primary process.
As APC delegates and card-carrying members prepare to vote, attention remains focused on the outcome of the primaries, with Haske widely regarded as a prominent contender following his extensive grassroots mobilisation across the state.
