By Auwal Ahmad Umar

As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship election, Professor Lamela Lenos Silas, the gubernatorial candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Gombe State, is positioning himself as a contender whose professional background is rooted in public financial management, forensic accounting, institutional accountability and decades of public service.

With a career spanning state and federal government institutions, including his service as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Professor Silas brings a wealth of administrative and professional experience into the political arena.

His ambition to govern Gombe State comes at a time when questions surrounding public accountability, economic development, employment opportunities, infrastructure and effective management of public resources remain central to political discussions.

Born in Kafin Hausa, Professor Silas has built a professional career that combines academic achievements, public administration, financial expertise and contributions to the development of forensic accounting in Nigeria.

His journey from the classroom to senior positions in government and now into partisan politics represents a transition from professional public service to the pursuit of elected political leadership.

Academic Background and Professional Foundation

Professor Silas’s academic journey began at the University of Jos, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Studies in 1984.

He subsequently earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the same university in 1991, strengthening his knowledge of business administration, organisational management and institutional leadership.

In 2013, he obtained a doctorate in development finance from the European American University, Commonwealth of Dominica.

His educational background provided the foundation for a professional career that would eventually cover accounting, taxation, forensic investigations, financial administration and public sector management.

Beyond his academic qualifications, he has continued to participate in professional development activities, international conferences and workshops, including the World Congress of Accountants in Rome.

A Career Spanning State and Federal Civil Service

One of the defining features of Professor Silas’s career is his experience in public administration.

He served in different capacities in the defunct Bauchi State and subsequently in Gombe State before joining the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation in 2002.

His federal civil service career took him through several government institutions, including the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He eventually served as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Federal Ministry of Finance, a position he held before retiring from the federal civil service in 2019.

His years in government exposed him to different aspects of public financial administration and institutional management.

The experience also provided opportunities to participate in financial management processes within government institutions, where accountability, budget administration and effective utilisation of public resources are essential to service delivery.

For a candidate seeking to lead a state government, this background offers an important dimension to his public profile.

However, the challenge before him is demonstrating how the experience acquired in federal institutions can be translated into practical development policies that address the needs of Gombe residents.

Forensic Accounting and Financial Accountability

Professor Silas is particularly identified with forensic accounting, taxation and financial investigations.

He is affiliated with several professional organisations, including the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) and the Society of Forensic Accounting and Fraud Prevention of Nigeria.

He also maintains professional affiliations with international bodies, including the International Institute of Certified Forensic Accountants in the United States.

His professional engagements have focused on areas relating to financial investigations, fraud prevention, accountability and the development of forensic accounting practices.

He has participated in several boards and committees at local and international levels, including serving as a member of the Federal Government’s Presidential Committee on Federal Government Properties Abroad and as a board member of the National Lottery Trust Fund.

These experiences have broadened his exposure to institutional administration and public sector governance.

His interest in forensic accounting is particularly relevant to contemporary discussions about transparency and the protection of public resources.

In a political environment where citizens increasingly demand accountability from public officeholders, his professional background could become a significant part of his argument for leadership.

Contributions to Public Sector Ethics

Beyond his administrative responsibilities, Professor Silas has contributed to discussions on ethics and accountability in Nigeria’s public institutions through articles published in local and international publications.

Among his notable works are The Nigerian ‘New Normal Economy’, published in the Journal of the Accountant-General of the Federation, and The Emergence of Forensic Accounting in the Nigerian Public Sector.

His writings have addressed the importance of ethical standards, institutional accountability and the development of forensic accounting in the country.

In 2014, he also wrote about the need for an independent intelligence unit in connection with Nigeria’s delisting from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) list.

He has consistently advocated stronger ethical standards in the civil service and called for national dialogue on ethics in the public sector.

His most recent article identified in his professional profile, published on 6 October 2023, also addressed the need for a national dialogue on ethics in Nigeria’s public sector.

These contributions reflect his interest in strengthening public institutions through professional standards and accountability mechanisms.

Leadership, Research and Mentorship

Professor Silas’s professional activities extend into academic research, leadership development and capacity building.

He is an independent scholar-practitioner in Nigeria in collaboration with the Chartered Examiners of Criminology and Forensic Investigation, New York.

He has also served as an independent examiner and reviewer of PhD students at Niger Delta University, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

His experience cuts across forensic audit functions, revenue generation, corporate governance, personnel management, leadership, mentoring and teaching.

He is the Vice President of the Institute of Leadership Assessment of Nigeria (ILAD), where his professional interests in leadership development and change management remain relevant.

His involvement in these areas demonstrates a continued interest in professional development and the strengthening of institutional capacity.

The APM Platform and the Gombe Political Contest

As the gubernatorial candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, Professor Silas is entering a political contest in which voters will be assessing candidates based on their experience, credibility, policy direction and capacity to deliver development.

Gombe State has several pressing development concerns, including unemployment, agricultural productivity, infrastructure, education, healthcare and economic opportunities for young people.

The next administration will also face the responsibility of strengthening public institutions and ensuring that available resources translate into tangible benefits for citizens.

For Professor Silas, his experience in financial administration and forensic accounting provides a professional foundation from which he can engage these issues.

His background could inform discussions on improved revenue administration, prudent public expenditure, financial transparency and institutional reforms.

However, professional experience alone does not automatically translate into effective political leadership.

Governorship requires the ability to build consensus, manage political interests, coordinate government institutions and develop policies that respond to the everyday realities of citizens.

The APM candidate will therefore need to demonstrate how his professional knowledge can address the specific challenges facing Gombe’s 11 local government areas.

He will also need to articulate clear positions on agriculture, youth employment, education, healthcare, infrastructure and economic diversification.

These are issues that will likely shape voters’ assessments of the candidates as the 2027 election approaches.

Beyond Professional Credentials: The Leadership Challenge

Professor Lamela Lenos Silas brings to the Gombe governorship contest a career shaped by public administration, financial management, professional accounting and institutional accountability.

His academic qualifications, experience in government service, professional affiliations and contributions to discussions on public sector ethics form important parts of his political profile.

His candidacy provides an opportunity to introduce financial discipline and institutional accountability into the wider debate about governance in Gombe State.

Nevertheless, the ultimate test will be whether he can convert his professional experience into a practical political vision that addresses the expectations of the people.

Voters will want to know how he intends to improve the state’s economy, create employment opportunities, strengthen education and healthcare, support agriculture and ensure responsible management of public funds.

They will also expect him to explain how his proposed leadership approach would improve the lives of residents across urban and rural communities.

For the APM candidate, the 2027 governorship election is therefore more than an opportunity to contest for political office; it is a test of his ability to connect decades of professional experience with the demands of democratic leadership.

Whether his background in forensic accounting and public financial management will provide a compelling alternative in the state’s political landscape remains a question for the electorate.

What is clear is that Professor Silas is seeking to move from a career of professional and administrative service into elected leadership, with the ambition of governing Gombe State under the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement.

Away from his professional engagements, he enjoys reading and tourism, interests that complement his continued pursuit of knowledge and exposure to different environments.

Gombe State Governor and Chairman of the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NNGF), Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on the 20th anniversary of his accession to the throne of the Sokoto Caliphate.

In a congratulatory message issued on Monday the governor described the Sultan’s two decades on the revered throne as a remarkable period characterised by wisdom, exemplary leadership and an unwavering commitment to peace, unity and national development.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya, who conveyed the message on behalf of the Gombe State Government, its people and the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum, commended the Sultan for his outstanding contributions to religious harmony, peaceful coexistence and national cohesion.

He noted that the Sultan, as the spiritual leader of Muslims in Nigeria, President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, had continued to provide purposeful leadership to the Muslim community while promoting religious tolerance and interfaith understanding.

The governor particularly praised the Sultan for his consistent support, cooperation and valuable counsel to the Northern Governors’ Forum, saying his constructive engagement had strengthened relations between political leaders and traditional institutions in addressing the challenges confronting the region.

According to him, the Sultan’s fatherly guidance, statesmanship and dedication to the collective aspirations of Northern Nigeria remain a source of encouragement to governors in their efforts to promote peace, strengthen security and accelerate development across the region.

He added that the Sultan’s leadership had continued to reinforce the importance of unity, dialogue and mutual understanding in building a peaceful and prosperous society.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya prayed Almighty Allah to grant the Sultan good health, renewed strength and divine wisdom to continue serving the Muslim Ummah and the nation, while wishing him many more years of a peaceful and prosperous reign.

The congratulatory message was signed by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General, Press Affairs, Government House, Gombe.

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has congratulated Professor Faruk Buba on his appointment as the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The governor described the appointment as a recognition of Professor Buba years of service in clinical medicine, medical education, research and healthcare management.

In a congratulatory message issued on Tuesday by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General of Press Affairs at the Government House, Gombe, the governor expressed confidence that the new CMD would use his professional expertise and administrative experience to advance the hospital’s mandate.

Governor Yahaya also commended President Tinubu for the appointment and acknowledged the role of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, in the process.

He said the appointment was a source of pride to Gombe State, noting that Professor Buba’s contributions to medical training, specialist healthcare and academic development had earned him recognition beyond his immediate professional environment.

Professor Buba is a Professor of Cardiology and Internal Medicine at the University of Maiduguri and an Honorary Consultant at UMTH. He has held several positions at the hospital, including Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (Clinical), Director of the ICT Centre and Head of the Department of Internal Medicine.

His experience in patient care, medical education and hospital administration is expected to support his new responsibilities at the tertiary health institution.

Governor Yahaya expressed optimism that the professor would deploy his knowledge and leadership skills to improve healthcare delivery, strengthen medical training and research, and enhance the hospital’s operational efficiency.

The governor further assured Professor Buba of the support and goodwill of the Gombe State Government and its people as he begins his tenure.

He urged the new CMD to use the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s healthcare system, particularly by improving services for patients, supporting medical professionals and promoting research.

Governor Yahaya wished Professor Buba a successful tenure, expressing hope that his leadership would leave a lasting impact on the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and the wider health sector.