By Auwal Umar, Gombe

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State has suffered another major political setback as several prominent chieftains have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Among the defectors is Hon. Hannatu Wakil, who served as PDP State Women Leader for eight years before becoming the party’s State Organising Secretary.

Explaining her decision to join the APC, Mrs Wakil said she was motivated by the need to support what she described as the good work of the present administration and contribute to efforts aimed at sustaining the state’s development.

She also expressed confidence in Dr Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, the APC governorship candidate, saying she believes he has the capacity and leadership qualities required to take Gombe State forward. She said her decision was based on her conviction that supporting the administration and Dr Gwamna would be in the best interest of the people of the state.

Also joining the APC is Hon. Asabe Baba Nahaya, a former commissioner and former President of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), as well as former Special Adviser, Hon. Sarki Alban.

Hon. Yila Y. Mustafa, who contested the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency seat under the PDP in the 2011 and 2015 elections, is also among the latest defectors.

The fresh defections come as political activities intensify across Gombe ahead of the 2027 elections, with the major parties working to strengthen their structures and expand their support bases.

The movement of the prominent PDP figures is expected to further reshape the political landscape in the state and increase pressure on the opposition party as the countdown to 2027 gathers momentum.

By Auwal Umar, Gombe

Women of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State have rallied behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party’s candidates, pledging to mobilise voters across the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The women, drawn from the state’s 11 local government areas and 13 Local Council Development Areas, made the commitment at the Women’s Unity and Progress Summit held in Gombe, the state capital.

The summit, convened by Hajiya Zainab Jamilu Gwamna, wife of the APC governorship candidate, was held under the theme, “Stronger Voices, United Women, Greater Impact.”

It brought together APC women to discuss political participation, mentorship, empowerment and the need for greater unity ahead of the 2027 elections.

Mrs Gwamna urged the women to see one another as partners rather than rivals, saying collective support was essential to creating opportunities for more women, especially younger ones.

“Your voice matters. Your ideas matter. Your dignity matters. Your future matters,” she told the participants.

She said women should measure their success not only by their personal achievements but also by the number of people they help to succeed.

The Gombe State First Lady, Hajiya Asmau Inuwa Yahaya, called for sustained unity among women, saying cooperation would strengthen their voice and influence in issues affecting families and communities.

She urged women to share opportunities, support one another and create stronger networks capable of contributing to the development of the state.

Also speaking, Hajiya Hauwa Liman, Technical Adviser to the Vice President on Women, Youth Engagement and Impact, emphasised the importance of mentorship.

“Your success is not complete if it ends with you,” Mrs Liman said, urging successful women to mentor others and create opportunities for them to grow.

The participants expressed confidence in their numerical strength and pledged to take the APC’s mobilisation efforts to the grassroots in support of Tinubu and other party candidates.

The summit also featured empowerment activities, with participants receiving gifts from the organisers as the APC intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections.

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

A prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Mohammed Danjuma, popularly known as Garkuwa Babba, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State, pledging his grassroots political structure to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Alhaji Danjuma, a former ADC aspirant for the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency and National Chairman of the ADC House of Representatives Aspirants Forum, announced his defection during a meeting with Gombe State Governor and APC leader, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, in Abuja.

The meeting took place at the Gombe Governor’s Lodge and was attended by the APC governorship candidate in the state, Dr Jamilu Isiyaku Gwamna, and a party chieftain and philanthropist, Engr Aliyu Mohammed Combat.

Alhaji Danjuma, regarded as one of the influential figures within the ADC structure in Gombe, said he would deploy his political network and grassroots supporters towards the success of the APC in the 2027 elections.

He specifically pledged to support Governor Yahaya’s senatorial ambition, Dr Gwamna’s governorship campaign and other APC candidates across the state.

Explaining his decision, the former ADC aspirant said Governor Yahaya’s leadership and development record influenced his decision to join the APC.

Alhaji Danjuma commended the governor for what he described as visible development across Gombe State, arguing that the administration’s performance had increased confidence in the APC among residents.

He said his defection was also motivated by his desire to identify with what he described as a development-focused leadership capable of sustaining stability and progress in the state.

Alhaji Danjuma added that his decision to join the APC was deliberate and aimed at contributing to the continuation of the development gains recorded under the Yahaya administration.

Receiving Alhaji Danjuma into the APC, Governor Yahaya welcomed him and his supporters, describing the defection as a significant addition to the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

The governor expressed appreciation for the former ADC chieftain’s decision to join the APC, saying his experience, political network and grassroots influence would strengthen the party.

Governor Yahaya also reaffirmed his commitment to building an inclusive APC capable of accommodating different interests while maintaining a shared commitment to the development of Gombe State.

He urged party members and stakeholders to remain united, stressing that cohesion and collective responsibility would be critical to the APC’s success in the 2027 elections.

According to him, the party would continue to welcome individuals and political groups committed to building a peaceful, stable and prosperous Gombe State.

The governor further called for loyalty and cooperation among APC members, saying the party’s strength depended on its ability to unite people with diverse political backgrounds around a common development agenda.