Politics
ADC Launches Nationwide Mobilisation in Gombe, Pledges a People-Driven Rescue Agenda Ahead of 2027
ADC Launches Nationwide Mobilisation in Gombe, Pledges a People-Driven Rescue Agenda Ahead of 2027
By Auwal Ahmad Umar
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has commenced an intensive grassroots mobilisation in Gombe State, signalling what party leaders describe as a decisive push to reposition the party as a credible alternative ahead of Nigeria’s next general elections.
At the centre of the renewed drive is Muhammad Jibiri Barde, a chieftain of the party. He says the ADC is providing the political platform for a nationwide movement aimed at rescuing the country from deepening insecurity, economic hardship, and the steady collapse of public institutions.
Speaking during an interactive session with party members and supporters in Gombe, Mr. Barde said the mobilisation marks a critical phase in the evolution of the ADC, as it moves from consolidation to active political engagement at the grassroots level.
According to him, the party is now fully hosting a broad-based political movement known as Sabo Ta Fiya—loosely translated as “a fresh beginning”—which has, over the past year, quietly spread across states and regions, drawing support from politicians, professionals and citizens disillusioned with the country’s prevailing governance trajectory.
“ADC today is not just another political party,” Mr Barde said. “It is the vehicle for a rescue movement that has been building momentum across Nigeria. People are tired of excuses, tired of recycled promises, and tired of leadership that feels distant from their daily struggles.”
A Movement Finds a Political Home
Mr Barde explained that Sabo Ta Fiya began as a loose coalition of reform-minded political actors and civic stakeholders concerned about the direction of the country. Over time, he said, the movement found a more stable and structured home within the ADC, which now serves as its official political platform.
He noted that the movement enjoys the backing of several high-profile figures, including a former vice-president, former governors, ex-ministers and other influential stakeholders, though he declined to name individuals.
“What unites us is not ambition for office, but a shared belief that Nigeria can and must do better,” he said. “We have people who have served at the highest levels of government and who understand where things went wrong. They are now willing to be part of a genuine effort to correct course.”
The ADC, he said, has already issued official circulars outlining a nationwide timetable of activities designed to strengthen party structures and expand membership.
These activities include membership registration and revalidation exercises, as well as congresses scheduled to begin at the unit level and progress through wards, local government areas and states by the end of January. A non-elective national convention is also planned for February.
Mr Barde described the timeline as deliberate and strategic, saying it reflects the party’s intention to build from the bottom up rather than impose leadership or candidates from the top.
“This is about rebuilding trust in the political process,” he said. “We want members to feel a sense of ownership, from the polling unit to the national level.”
A call to Party Members and Supporters
Speaking to ADC members in Gombe State, Mr. Barde urged them to fully embrace the revalidation exercise and take responsibility for mobilising new members at the community level.
He said the success of the party’s rescue agenda depends largely on the commitment of ordinary members rather than elite endorsements.
“This is the moment for all of us to return home,” he said. “Return to the party, strengthen its structures and help build something that truly belongs to the people, not a few powerful individuals.”
He added that Gombe State holds strategic importance for the ADC’s broader plans in the Northeast, noting that the region has borne a disproportionate share of the country’s insecurity and economic decline.
“For us, Gombe is not just another state,” he said. “It represents resilience, potential and the urgent need for leadership that listens.”
Emphasis on Internal Democracy
A recurring theme in Mr Barde’s remarks was the party’s emphasis on internal democracy and inclusiveness, which he described as the ADC’s defining values.
According to him, the party operates on a strict principle of “one man, one vote”, with clear rules designed to prevent imposition, godfatherism and the marginalisation of ordinary members.
“This is not a party where decisions are taken in secret rooms,” he said. “There is no imposition. Every member has a voice, and every vote counts.”
He stressed that new members are not treated as outsiders or political tools but as equal stakeholders in the party’s future.
“Whether you joined yesterday or ten years ago, you are welcomed as a VIP,” he said. “What matters is your willingness to contribute to the collective effort of saving and repositioning the country.”
Unity and Factionalisation Claims
Responding to reports of internal divisions within the ADC in Gombe State, Mr. Barde dismisses claims of factionalization, insisting that the party remains united and focused.
“We are not aware of any faction in Gombe,” he said. “What we have are healthy conversations and growing interest, which some people may misinterpret as division.”
He added that the party’s leadership is committed to resolving disputes through dialogue and established internal mechanisms, rather than public confrontation.
“Our strength lies in our unity,” he said. “We are united, committed and determined—not just to rescue Gombe State, but to contribute meaningfully to rescuing Nigeria as a whole.”
A Grim Assessment of Governance
Mr. Barde took the occasion to deliver a scathing assessment of the current state of governance in Nigeria, citing worsening insecurity, decaying infrastructure, and the decline of critical sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and trade.
He said insecurity has become a defining feature of daily life for many Nigerians, with communities living in fear of bandits, insurgencies, and violent crime.
“In too many parts of the country, people go to sleep uncertain of what the next day will bring,” he said. “This is abnormal, and we should reject it.”
He also pointed out the poor state of infrastructure, describing roads, power supplies, and water systems as grossly inadequate for a country of Nigeria’s size and ambition.
“Our infrastructure is collapsing, yet year after year, budgets are passed with little to show on the ground,” he said.
Strain on Ordinary Citizens
Mr. Barde asserts that policy failures, rising costs, and weak institutions are disproportionately impacting ordinary citizens and small-scale traders.
Markets are struggling, small businesses are closing, and young people are becoming increasingly disconnected from economic opportunities, according to him.
He stated, “People desire employment, yet the system works against them.” “Traders are overburdened, farmers are insecure, and young graduates are trapped between unemployment and underemployment.”
He argued that public institutions, which should serve as engines of development, have instead become symbols of inefficiency and frustration.
“Our hospitals lack basic equipment, our schools are underfunded, and our public offices are slow and unresponsive,” he said. “This level of neglect is unacceptable.”
ADC’s Vision for Gombe and Nigeria
Against this backdrop, Mr. Barde outlined what he described as the ADC’s people-centered vision for Gombe State and the country at large.
He said the party is committed to leadership that prioritises security, economic productivity, and social welfare and has policies designed to deliver tangible improvements rather than slogans.
“ADC stands for purposeful leadership,” he said. “Leadership that guarantees equal opportunity, quality education, functional healthcare and a productive economy for all.”
He added that agriculture, trade, and small-scale enterprises would be central to the party’s economic agenda, particularly in states like Gombe, where livelihoods depend heavily on these sectors.
“We believe that if you secure communities and support farmers and traders, you unlock growth,” he said. “Development does not happen in isolation—it starts with people.”
Looking Ahead to the Elections
With mobilisation underway, Mr. Barde said the ADC is positioning itself for sustained engagement ahead of the next general elections.
He stressed that the party’s focus is not merely on winning elections but on rebuilding confidence in democratic governance.
“Nigerians deserve a real choice,” he said. “A choice built on accountability, competence and inclusive governance, not empty promises.”
He acknowledged that the task ahead is difficult, given the dominance of established political parties, but insisted that the growing appetite for change gives the ADC a unique opportunity.
“History shows that when people come together around a clear purpose, change becomes inevitable,” he said.
As the interactive session drew to a close, party members in attendance echoed Mr. Barde’s call for grassroots engagement, with several pledging to take the mobilisation drive back to their wards and communities.
For the ADC, the coming months will test whether its rescue rhetoric can translate into organisational numbers and influence on the ground. For now, the party appears determined to make its case—starting from Gombe and extending across the country—that Nigeria’s political future does not have to look like its troubled present.
Who Is PDP’s Gombe Governorship Candidate for 2027: Yayari or Prof. Pantami?
By Auwal Ahmad Umar
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State has been thrown into fresh political uncertainty following the emergence of two rival governorship candidates from opposing factions of the party, intensifying an already deep-rooted leadership crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a development that has further exposed divisions within the opposition party, one faction led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) and backed by members of the party’s Board of Trustees presented Mohammed Ahmed Yayari as the PDP’s governorship candidate for Gombe State and handed him a Certificate of Return.
At the same time, another faction under the leadership of Abdulrahman Mohammed formally recognised former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, as the party’s governorship flag-bearer and also presented him with a Certificate of Return.
The parallel endorsements have created confusion over who will eventually secure the PDP ticket for the 2027 governorship race in Gombe State.
The faction loyal to Turaki unveiled Yayari during a ceremony where Certificates of Return were presented to candidates from different states. Party leaders used the occasion to emphasise loyalty and commitment among aspirants, warning against defections after securing party nominations.
Speaking at the event, prominent PDP chieftain Barr. Turaki declared that candidates would be required to sign binding undertakings before their names are submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Nobody will take our mandate to another political party and get away with it,” he said, stressing that future candidates would be held accountable through strict agreements designed to safeguard the party’s interests.
Also speaking, the PDP National Organising Secretary, Hon. Theophilus Dakas Shan, described the exercise as part of efforts to position the party for future electoral contests.
“We are ready to go into the elections prepared with our candidates,” he stated.
Barrister Dupe Adesida, who spoke on behalf of the PDP State Chairmen Forum, commended the party leadership for sustaining the PDP despite the challenges confronting it.
However, in a parallel political drama, another faction convened a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and inauguration ceremony in Abuja, where Prof. Pantami was officially presented as the PDP governorship candidate for Gombe State.
The gathering, presided over by Abdulrahman Mohammed, who is the Faction National Chairman, drew party leaders and stakeholders from across the country. During the event, Certificates of Return were presented to candidates whose nominations the faction claimed had been recognised and published by INEC.
Pantami’s endorsement by the rival group has further complicated the battle for control of the PDP structure in Gombe State, leaving the party with two prominent figures laying claim to a single governorship ticket.
Political analysts believe the emergence of dual candidates reflects unresolved disputes within the PDP and could ultimately require intervention by the courts, the party’s national leadership, or INEC to determine which faction holds legitimate authority.
With the countdown to the 2027 elections already underway, the deepening crisis threatens to weaken the PDP’s chances of mounting a strong challenge in Gombe unless a political settlement is reached.
For now, Mohammed Ahmed Yayari and Prof. Isa Ali Pantami remain at the center of a fierce struggle that could shape the future of the PDP in Gombe State.
Politics
APC National Chairman Settles Gombe Central Contest, Raises DCP Ahmed’s Hand as Party’s Senatorial Candidate
APC National Chairman Settles Gombe Central Contest, Raises DCP Ahmed’s Hand as Party’s Senatorial Candidate
Gombe, Nigeria – The race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for Gombe Central Senatorial District was effectively laid to rest on Tuesday as the National Chairman of the party publicly raised the hand of DCP Mohammed Ahmed (Rtd), affirming him as the APC’s candidate for the senatorial seat.
The symbolic gesture, witnessed by party leaders, supporters, and stakeholders, sent a strong political message that the APC leadership had closed ranks behind the retired police officer, putting to rest speculations and internal contestations surrounding the ticket.
Addressing party faithful, APC leaders described DCP Mohammed Ahmed (Rtd) as a tested administrator, grassroots mobilizer, and loyal party member whose emergence reflects the collective will of the party in Gombe Central.
The atmosphere at the gathering was charged with excitement as supporters hailed the endorsement, interpreting the National Chairman’s action as a decisive move to unite the party ahead of the election.
Political observers say the public endorsement has significantly strengthened Mohammed Ahmed’s position, consolidating support across the district and providing the APC with a clear direction as it prepares for the senatorial contest.
With the National Chairman’s backing now visibly demonstrated, party stakeholders called on APC members across the district to rally behind the candidate and work towards securing victory at the polls.
The endorsement is also seen as a boost to the APC’s broader strategy of maintaining its political dominance in Gombe State, where the party continues to enjoy strong grassroots support.
He maintained that the APC’s continued electoral successes were a reflection of public confidence in the party’s leadership and development agenda at both the federal and state levels.
The APC chairman is urging party members to remain united and committed to serving the people, stressing that sustainable development and good governance remain the party’s guiding principles.
APC Confident of Victory in Gombe LGAs’ Polls
By Auwal Ahmad Umar
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will record a sweeping victory in the forthcoming local government elections scheduled for June 28, 2026, as the party formally presented flags to its chairmanship and councillorship candidates across the state.
Speaking during the flag presentation ceremony in Gombe, Governor Yahaya said the APC remained the dominant political force in the state and was determined to sustain its electoral successes at all levels.
According to him, the party’s growing influence is reflected in its representation across elective positions, noting that APC currently occupies all 24 seats allocated to the state in the House of Representatives.
“We are determined to repeat our electoral successes and retain all elective positions under the APC platform. Our strength lies in our unity, commitment and the confidence the people have in our leadership,” the governor said.
He stressed that the party’s objective was to maintain control of all local government councils and legislative seats, urging party members to remain focused and united ahead of the polls.
Governor Yahaya highlighted the role of the state’s 11 local government areas and 13 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in deepening grassroots governance, describing the initiative as a strategic step towards bringing government closer to the people.
He also used the occasion to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting critical infrastructure projects in the state, particularly the ongoing superhighway project aimed at improving connectivity across the North-East.
The governor noted that the project, recently inspected by Minister of Works David Umahi, would boost trade, create economic opportunities and improve the welfare of citizens across the region.
“We appreciate President Tinubu’s commitment to the development of Gombe State and the North-East. These projects are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which continues to inspire confidence among Nigerians,” he stated.
Yahaya further reaffirmed his support for the administration’s development agenda, saying its policies were already yielding visible results across various sectors.
Earlier, the National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, lauded Governor Yahaya for what he described as remarkable achievements in infrastructure, education and social development.
The APC chairman said his visit to various parts of Gombe State gave him the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of government projects on residents.
“I visited communities, institutions, universities, road projects and cultural centres. What I saw was democracy working for the people. The projects are touching lives and improving livelihoods across the state,” he said.
Professor Nentawe noted that market women, traders, farmers and other residents expressed confidence in the APC government, attributing the party’s popularity to its focus on development and service delivery.
He also praised President Tinubu for ongoing and planned federal infrastructure projects across Northern Nigeria, including major road corridors linking Akwanga, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe and Maiduguri.
According to him, the projects would strengthen regional integration, facilitate commerce and significantly reduce travel time across the region.
The APC National Chairman further highlighted plans for a railway network connecting Port Harcourt to Maiduguri through key northern cities, as well as gas infrastructure projects designed to stimulate industrial growth and improve energy access.
He urged Governor Yahaya and APC stakeholders to continue mobilising support for the party while remaining committed to delivering democratic dividends to the people.
Professor Nentawe also celebrated the APC’s recent electoral victories, insisting that the party’s strength derives from its close connection with ordinary Nigerians.
“APC remains firmly rooted among the people. Our success is based on good governance, development and our commitment to improving the lives of citizens,” he said.
The flag presentation ceremony attracted party leaders, elected officials, traditional rulers and supporters from across the state, as APC intensified preparations for the June 28 local government elections.
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