2027: Gwamna, Pantami camps trade claims as Gombe politics heats up

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By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe

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GOMBE – Political activities in Gombe State are gathering momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Jamil Isyaku Gwamna, and those of Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami advancing competing claims over grassroots support, political experience and recent defections.

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In a statement issued by Gwamna’s aide, Ibrahim Sani Shawai, the APC candidate was described as having built a strong grassroots network through more than two decades of political engagement in the state.

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Shawai said Gwamna, popularly known as Sardaunan Gombe, had cultivated relationships with youths, women, business people, community leaders, professionals, religious groups and other stakeholders across the state.

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He claimed that Gwamna’s support base included more than 1,300 volunteer youth and women groups coordinated by Hon. Ahmed Usman, popularly known as Fada.

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He also mentioned a network of business people led by Alhaji Saidu Mai Silifas, retired directors and permanent secretaries, Alarammomi Forum, community stakeholders and other organised groups as part of the structure backing the APC candidate.

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Shawai argued that recent political realignments and defections to the APC and Gwamna’s camp were signs of growing support for the candidate.

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He said Gwamna’s political strength should not be judged solely by academic qualifications or social media visibility, but by his years of grassroots engagement, relationships and political organisation.

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“Politics is not built in a day. It is built over time through people, relationships, structures, sacrifice, trust and sustained engagement with the grassroots,” he said.

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He added that Gombe needed a leader capable of effectively managing government, attracting investment, creating opportunities, strengthening institutions and consolidating the achievements of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s administration.

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GONET cautions against inflammatory campaigns

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The political claims came amid calls by civil society organisations and other stakeholders for issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.

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The Gombe Network of Civil Society Organisations (GONET) expressed concern over what it described as escalating hostile social media activities and political rhetoric among supporters of governorship aspirants in the state.

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In a statement signed by its Chairman, Ambassador Ibrahim Yusuf 3000, and Secretary, Dr Benjamin Maina, the organisation urged political actors and their supporters to focus on issues rather than personal attacks, character assassination, cyberbullying and inflammatory rhetoric.

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GONET warned that reckless political communication could undermine the peace and social cohesion for which Gombe State is known.

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“Politics should never become a licence for hatred. Every aspirant is a son of Gombe whose basic human dignity deserves respect, regardless of political affiliation,” the group said.

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It urged political parties and aspirants to make the election a contest of ideas, policies, competence and vision rather than campaigns of calumny.

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The organisation also appealed to political leaders to caution their supporters against hate speech, threats and incendiary online activities.

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It said traditional rulers, religious leaders, community elders, youth organisations, civil society groups and the media had a collective responsibility to promote moderation and issue-based political discourse throughout the electoral cycle.

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GONET further called on security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering and respond professionally and impartially to acts of incitement and cyber harassment.

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Defections raise questions over political realignment

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Meanwhile, Gombe-based football administrator and public commentator, Gara Gombe Ahmed Shuaibu, has questioned the motivations behind the recent wave of political defections in the state.

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Shuaibu argued that some of the defections were driven more by personal interests and expectations of political patronage than by ideology or policy considerations.

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He said the movement of politicians among the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other parties reflected the fluid nature of Gombe politics ahead of 2027.

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According to him, some politicians defect in anticipation of appointments, contracts, financial assistance or access to political decision-making structures.

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He also questioned whether some of the defectors had genuine grassroots structures within the parties they joined.

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Shuaibu said political defections should ideally be based on clearly stated principles, policies and manifestoes rather than expectations of personal benefits.

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He, however, described the reported movement of former PDP national chairman, Senator Bello Mohammed Bayero Nafada, to the APC as an important development that would attract political attention.

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He also cautioned against automatically interpreting recent political realignments as evidence of electoral victory for any party or candidate.

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Gwamna camp announces Pantami ally’s defection

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In another development, the Gwamna campaign said its governorship bid had received a boost following the resignation of Hon. Muhammad Buhari Dalhatu, Special Adviser to Professor Isa Ali Pantami on Youth Leadership and Community Engagement.

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According to Shawai, Dalhatu resigned his position and declared support for Gwamna and the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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The statement described the development as significant because of Dalhatu’s previous role within Pantami’s political camp.

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It also listed Affan Buba Abuya, a former personal assistant to Pantami; Sunusin Gombe, popularly known as Ameer, who was said to have coordinated the Pantamiyya political structure; and Dahiru Saidu Nafada as individuals who had moved away from Pantami’s political camp.

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The statement described the developments as evidence of changing political alignments in the state.

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Welcoming Dalhatu, Gwamna commended his decision to remain in the APC and expressed support for a political agenda centred on unity, competence, experience, continuity and consolidation of the achievements of the Yahaya administration.

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The contest for the 2027 governorship is, however, still evolving, with rival political camps seeking to demonstrate stronger grassroots structures and wider acceptance.

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With political activities gathering momentum, the competing claims are expected to intensify, underscoring the need for issue-based campaigns, responsible political communication and peaceful engagement ahead of the election.

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