A retired military officer, General Jafar Mohamed Gajare, has formally declared his intention to contest for the Kebbi South Senatorial District seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This is as he pledged to deploy his military experience to tackle insecurity and support the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Gajare, who spoke shortly after obtaining his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms in Abuja, said his decision to join the race was driven by the need to contribute meaningfully to national development, particularly in the area of security.
The retired General, who hails from Kebbi South Senatorial District, said he was prepared to bring his over three decades of military experience to bear in the National Assembly if elected.
“By the grace of God, I will be contesting for the position of Senator for Kebbi South Senatorial District,” he said.
Speaking on his plans for the Senate, Gajare said insecurity remains a major concern in Kebbi State and across the country, stressing that he would prioritise legislative support for security reforms and economic growth.
“For me to aspire to that position, I have something I want to do. If given the opportunity, I will ensure that I carry out the agenda of the APC government.
“My people are faced with a lot of security challenges, so I will ensure that I contribute in that direction. Not only that, even the economy — by virtue of my experience, having served in the military for 32 years, I believe I have something to offer,” he stated.
The former military officer also moved to dispel insinuations of friction within the Kebbi APC ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that he enjoys a cordial relationship with Governor Nasir Idris, popularly known as Kauran Gwandu.
President Tinubu had recently advised aspirants seeking elective offices under the APC to work closely with their state governors, whom he described as leaders of the party in their respective states.
Responding to questions on his relationship with the governor, Gajare described Idris as “amiable” and widely accepted by the people.
“My relationship with the governor is perfect — it is cordial. His Excellency Kauran Gwandu is someone loved by his people because of the good work he is doing in the state,” he said.
On opposition politics in the state and the growing activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Gajare dismissed suggestions that the party could pose a serious challenge to the APC in Kebbi.
He particularly downplayed the chances of a former Attorney General from the state aspiring on the ADC platform, insisting that the APC remains firmly in control of the political structure in the state.
“As far as I am concerned, he is dead on arrival. He is not a threat to us in the APC at all. When you go to Kebbi, you will see that the governor is fully in charge,” he declared.
Kebbi State has remained one of the strongholds of the APC since 2015, with Governor Idris consolidating the party’s structure following his emergence in 2023.
