The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Kano State, Ibrahim Al-Amin Little, has picked 36-year-old ICT expert, Abdulkadir Shehu Bari, as his running mate for the 2027 election.
Al-Amin Little unveiled Bari on Sunday in Kano while presenting the party’s campaign agenda to voters ahead of the election.
He said an ADC administration would prioritise economic development, job creation, industrial revival and improved welfare for residents.
“We want to build an economy that will create opportunities for our people, produce more millionaires and reduce poverty and unemployment in Kano,” he said.
Al-Amin Little also promised to create opportunities for young people to discourage them from embarking on dangerous journeys to Europe in search of better living conditions.
“We must create opportunities for our young people here in Kano so that they will not have to risk their lives travelling to Europe in search of a better future,” he said.
The candidate also pledged to establish an independent power plant to support industrial revival and boost economic activities across the state.
According to him, improved electricity supply would enable industries to expand, attract investment and create more jobs.
Al-Amin Little further accused political leaders of using public resources to provide personal benefits for political officeholders.
He promised to abolish laws granting lifetime benefits to former governors, deputy governors and speakers of the State House of Assembly.
“We will abolish laws that provide lifetime benefits to former governors, deputy governors and speakers, including government-funded houses and exotic vehicles after leaving office,” he said.
He said government resources should instead be channelled into development projects and improving the living conditions of citizens.
The ADC candidate urged Kano voters to support the party in 2027, promising an economy driven by job creation, investment and opportunities.
Who is Abdulkadir Shehu Bari?
Abdulkadir Shehu Bari, born in 1990, is an ICT professional, academic and community development advocate from Bari Town in Rogo Local Government Area of Kano State.
He attended Police Children School, Bompai, Kano, and Government Secondary School, Kwankwaso.
Bari holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Bayero University, Kano, and a master’s degree in Information Technology from the National Open University of Nigeria.
He has worked at Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Dambatta, where he has served in various academic and administrative positions, including Head of the Department of Computer Science, Head of the Department of Artificial Intelligence, Director of ICT, Director of Linkages and Affiliations, and Coordinator of the institution’s Outreach Centre.
As Head of the Computer Science Department, Bari participated in the development of HND programmes in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Data Protection, Networking and Cloud Computing, and Software and Web Development.
The programmes later evolved into separate academic departments.
He also initiated the proposal for the establishment of a School of Computing at the college, which was subsequently approved and implemented.
His professional interests include artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer science, ICT, digital transformation, programming and emerging technologies.
Bari has participated in curriculum development and review activities in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, including engagements with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
Beyond academia, he has been involved in youth empowerment, grassroots education and vocational skills development.
He founded and promoted the Bari Literacy and Vocational Skills Acquisition Centre (BLAVSAC) in his hometown. The centre is approved by the NBTE to run six vocational trades.
Bari is also the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Computer Society, Kano State Chapter, and Assistant Secretary-General of PAIDeF.
