Gombe ejects bus firm from terminal, company claims move is politically motivated

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The Gombe State Government has ordered the expulsion of Gombawa Motors Nigeria Limited from the Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo Mega Park.

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The notice to quit is coming barely two days after the transport company publicly declared its support for the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Gombe State, Professor Isa Pantami.

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An expulsion notice dated June 25, 2026, and signed by the Managing Director of Principal Facilities Management Limited, the firm managing the Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo Mega Park, Mayo Ani, directed Gombawa Motors to vacate the state-owned transport terminal within 24 hours.

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The notice stated that the decision followed a resolution of the Mega Park Management Committee, citing repeated violations of the park’s operational regulations.

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According to the letter, the company was expelled for allegedly breaching the park’s operational rules on several occasions, failing to comply with management directives, and attracting complaints from other transport operators within the terminal.

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Copies of the notice were forwarded to GROCOL, the Mega Park Management Committee, the Gombe State Police Command, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

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Although the expulsion came two days after Gombawa Motors publicly endorsed Pantami, the management’s letter made no reference to politics, maintaining that the action was based solely on operational infractions.

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Reacting in a statement obtained on Saturday, the company’s Secretary, Muhammad Umar, described the expulsion as politically motivated.

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“The expulsion came shortly after the company openly identified with Professor Isa Ali Pantami. The timing raises legitimate concerns over political interference,” Umar said.

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He also faulted the notice for failing to state the specific offences allegedly committed by the company.

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“The notice failed to clearly specify the alleged violations. Support for any political figure is a constitutional right protected under Nigerian law,” he added.

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Umar further argued that restrictions introduced during the restructuring of the Mega Park, including terminal allocations and limitations on independent loading, had concentrated transport activities under government control.

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According to him, the decision violated the company’s constitutional rights.

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“This action raises constitutional concerns regarding freedom of association and the right to fair hearing. A major private transport operator should not be removed without due process and clearly established procedures,” he stated.

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When contacted, the General Manager of Gombe Line, Dr Sani Sabo, confirmed that Gombawa Motors had been expelled from the terminal but dismissed allegations of political victimisation.

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“They are not above the law,” Sabo said, insisting that the decision was taken strictly in line with the park’s operational regulations.

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As of the time of filing this report, the Gombe State Government had not issued an official response to the company’s allegation of political intimidation, while authorities maintained that the expulsion was based solely on the enforcement of the Mega Park’s operational rules.

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