APC Primary Committee Declares Gombe Senatorial Polls Credible, Transparent

By Auwal Umar, Gombe

The All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election committee in Gombe State has described the party’s 2026 senatorial primary elections as peaceful, transparent and credible, declaring Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, retired DCP Mohammed Ahmed and Jerry Joseph Damara as winners in their respective districts.

The chairman of the committee, Mallam Labiru Musa Kafur, stated this on Tuesday during a press briefing on the official outcome of the APC senatorial primaries conducted across the state on Monday.

Mr Kafur stated that the exercise followed the National Working Committee’s directives for a direct primary system, allowing grassroots members to participate directly.

“The exercise across all 11 local government areas was remarkably peaceful, orderly and harmonious, serving as a testament to the democratic maturity of our party faithful,” he said.

According to him, strict accreditation measures were introduced to ensure transparency and credibility throughout the exercise.

“The committee enforced a thorough and mandatory voter accreditation process beginning at 8:00 a.m. at designated ward centers. Voting eligibility was strictly tied to the presentation of a valid APC membership card,” he said.

Mr Kafur added that the measure helped to protect the integrity of the election and prevent infiltration by non-members.

Announcing the results, he said Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya emerged as the APC candidate for the Gombe North Senatorial District after securing 131,009 affirmation votes.

For Gombe Central Senatorial District, retired DCP Mohammed Ahmed polled 89,415 valid votes to emerge as the winner, while Jerry Joseph Damara secured 56,687 votes to clinch the party’s ticket for Gombe South Senatorial District.

Mr Kafur stated that designated returning officers made the official declarations at the various zonal collation centres immediately after the conclusion of collation.

“Having satisfied all necessary requirements and scored the highest number of valid votes cast in their respective districts, these winners were rightfully declared on the field immediately after collation,” he said.

“The committee fully stands by these decentralised field declarations which confirm them as the official flag bearers of the APC for the upcoming elections,” he added.

The committee chairman commended the Gombe State government, party leaders, security agencies and journalists for ensuring what he described as a credible democratic process.

“We extend our profound appreciation to the executive governor of Gombe State, the state party leadership, security agencies and members of the press for ensuring a transparent, highly credible and world-class democratic exercise,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the peaceful conduct of the primaries would strengthen unity within the party ahead of the general elections.

Gombe South Senate Race: Jerry Damara Expands Political Outreach

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections, a leading aspirant for the Gombe South Senatorial seat, Jerry Joseph Damara, has stepped up consultations across the zone, seeking the support and blessings of traditional rulers and party stakeholders.

Mr Damara, who recently emerged as a consensus aspirant for the senatorial district, visited the palaces of the Mai Kaltungo and the Mai Tangle as part of efforts to consolidate support for his ambition.

During the visits, the aspirant said traditional institutions remain vital to peace, unity, and development, noting that his aspiration was driven by appeals from stakeholders across Gombe South.

“I value the role of our traditional rulers in promoting stability and development in society. Their guidance and prayers are important as we continue consultations across the zone,” he said.

He added that, if elected to the National Assembly, he would focus on initiatives capable of improving the welfare of constituents and attracting development projects to the district.

The Mai Kaltungo, Engineer Saleh Mohammed, and the Mai Tangle, Alhaji Danladi Sanusi Maiyamba, described Mr. Damara as a politician committed to the interests of his people.

The monarchs expressed confidence in his capacity to contribute to the development of Gombe South if elected to represent the district in the Senate.

As part of the consultations, Mr Damara also visited APC offices in Kaltungo and Billiri local government areas, where he pledged to build and furnish a befitting party office in Kaltungo, citing the poor condition of the current facility.

He also donated cash support to youths, women, and party officials during the visits.

At the APC State Secretariat in Gombe, the aspirant was received by members of the party’s state executive committee led by the chairman, Mohammed Dantata Ndus.

During the meeting, Mr Damara reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and pledged continued support for the party leadership in the state.

The senatorial aspirant also visited the residence of Jamilu Isiaka Gwamna, one of the APC governorship aspirants in Gombe State, for further consultations.

Earlier, Mr. Damara organised a special prayer session at his residence, where prayers were offered for peace and political stability on the Tangale-Waja axis and in Gombe State.

Among those who accompanied him during the consultations were the member representing the Billiri/Balanga Federal Constituency, Ali Isa J.C.; lawmakers from the Gombe State House of Assembly representing Gombe South; former commissioners; and former local government chairpersons from the zone.

Gombe 2027: Monica Yahaya Breaks Barriers as First Female PDP Governorship Aspirant Enters Race

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

A 33-year-old community development advocate, Monica Yahaya, has declared her intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, emerging as the first female aspirant to officially join the race for the state’s top political office.

Yahaya announced her ambition on Tuesday after obtaining her nomination form at the PDP secretariat in Gombe, saying her decision was informed by years of grassroots engagement, particularly with rural women and vulnerable communities.

“I’m into community development. I work with rural women. That is how I picked my interest to contest for this position,” she said.

She said her governorship ambition is driven by what she described as persistent gaps in political representation, especially for women and young people in governance.

“I see a gap that we need to close. How we can close it is by representing women positively,” she said.

Yahaya argued that women have the capacity to provide effective leadership if given political opportunity, insisting that her candidacy reflects a growing demand for inclusive governance in Gombe State.

“If opportunity is given, Gombe people will see a difference,” she said. “When you give a chance to a woman to be in this position, you will see the wonders that she will perform.”

She also decried the marginalisation of women in politics despite their central role in family and community development.

“We are all raised by women, right? And we have seen how they can be able to do it,” she said.

The PDP aspirant also placed youth empowerment at the centre of her campaign, arguing that engaging young people productively would help reduce social challenges in the state.

“If they are busy, they will be productive,” she said.

On her chances in the race, Yahaya expressed optimism, saying she was encouraged by what she described as growing support from women groups and sections of the male electorate demanding change.

“Even the men are shouting for change. They need women in leadership positions. Everybody is tired,” she said.

She dismissed concerns about internal divisions within the PDP, expressing confidence that the party would resolve its challenges ahead of the 2027 elections.

“We are very confident. Very soon everything is going to be settled,” she said.

Yahaya disclosed that her ambition is receiving backing from women’s groups, including the Gombe Women’s Agenda, noting that the party had introduced waivers for female aspirants on nomination fees.

She also pledged to prioritise basic infrastructure, particularly water supply, which she described as one of the major challenges facing residents of the state.

“We all know that we have problems of water in Gombe State… I’m going to make water very available,” she said.

Yahaya, who said she has spent over 20 years in civil society and rural advocacy work, said her experience has equipped her for public office and deepened her understanding of community needs across Gombe State.