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

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.