Gombe Governor claims instability poses greatest danger to Northern region

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, declared on Monday that insecurity poses the greatest threat to the stability and development of Northern Nigeria, emphasizing the need for a collective effort to combat terrorism and other criminal activities in the region.

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Yahaya made this declaration during a statewide broadcast to launch the "Unite Against Terror" campaign, stressing that security is a responsibility shared by the government, security agencies, and citizens alike.

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He underscored the importance of citizen participation in maintaining security, saying "Security is everyone's responsibility" and urging citizens to report any suspicious activities to the authorities promptly.

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Yahaya warned that without peace, sustainable development would be impossible, noting that insecurity has a direct impact on economic and social progress in the region.

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He reiterated that insecurity remains the single most significant threat to the stability and development of Northern Nigeria, stating that "without security, there can be no development, and without development, there can be no lasting peace".

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Yahaya commended the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for their sacrifices, paying tribute to personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty, and urged security operatives to combine modern technology with community intelligence while respecting human rights.

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He called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and women groups, and civil society organisations to support peace-building efforts, highlighting that terrorists thrive in divided communities.

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Yahaya noted that "criminals and terrorists thrive where there is division; they fail where communities are united and vigilant", and expressed support for the Federal Government's anti-terrorism campaign under President Bola Tinubu.

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He urged residents to cooperate fully with security agencies, emphasizing the importance of a united front against terrorism.

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In a related development, Yahaya swore in newly elected chairpersons of the state's 11 local government areas and 13 local council development areas, reaffirming that effective local governance is central to addressing insecurity and promoting grassroots development.

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He described the successful conduct of the June 27 local government elections as peaceful and credible, reflecting growing public confidence in the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Yahaya told the new chairmen that their performance should be the strongest campaign for the party, urging them to ensure that the people feel the dividends of democracy in every ward and community.

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He defended the creation of 13 LCDAs, insisting that the reform was designed to bring governance closer to the people rather than expand bureaucracy, and noted that the modern council headquarters had been completed and administrative processes concluded for their take-off.

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Yahaya highlighted improvements in local government finances under his administration, noting that councils that once struggled to pay salaries are now financially stable due to fiscal discipline and transparency.

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He praised the Joint Projects Development Agency as a successful model of cooperation between state and local governments in delivering infrastructure and basic services, and urged the new chairmen to prioritise accountability and service delivery.

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Yahaya warned the chairmen against allowing personal interests to override the public good, stating that "let your decisions always reflect the collective interest of the people".

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Chairman of Gombe Local Government Area, Abdullahi Bappa, thanked the governor for his support, pledging that the new council leaders would justify the confidence reposed in them, saying "We will not let you down, Your Excellency".