By Segun Adewale in Gombe
Gombe State Governor and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has restated his commitment to equity, justice and fairness in the political affairs of the state, assuring that the growing call for the Gombe Central Senatorial seat to rotate to Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area will receive due attention at the highest levels of the party.
The Governor gave the assurance on Monday when he received a large delegation from Akko Local Government Area on a solidarity visit to Government House, Gombe.
The development comes on the heels of an earlier visit by stakeholders from Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area, who had similarly presented their position on the matter.
The Akko delegation comprised members of the National and State Assemblies, senior party stakeholders, traditional rulers, community leaders and hundreds of APC faithful.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya commended the people of Akko for demonstrating political maturity, brotherhood and a deep sense of fairness by aligning with the aspiration of their Yamaltu/Deba brothers to produce the next Senator for Gombe Central, after years of supporting Akko’s hold on the seat.
He assured them that their position would be formally conveyed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC national leadership, with a view to ensuring that the principles of justice, inclusion and peaceful coexistence continue to guide political decisions in the state.
The Governor described election seasons as moments of political accountability, stressing that public office holders must justify the confidence reposed in them through loyalty, diligence and service.
According to him, elected officials either earn renewed mandates through performance and party loyalty or lose public trust through poor representation and anti-party conduct.
Reflecting on the last election, Governor Inuwa noted that the APC’s disappointing outing in parts of Gombe Central was linked to actions by the current Senator representing the zone, whom he said worked against the party’s success, including President Tinubu’s victory in his polling unit and immediate political sphere.
He recalled that the Senator’s conduct led to disciplinary measures by the APC in his ward, which were subsequently upheld at the local government and state levels.
“As Governor and leader of the APC in Gombe State, I will always take decisions that reflect the genuine yearnings and aspirations of our people in the overall interest of peace, unity and brotherliness,” the Governor declared.
He urged the people of Akko to remain united and work towards delivering the APC from the Presidential election down to the State House of Assembly polls, while also pledging continued strong, purposeful and people-driven leadership.
Governor Inuwa said the performance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the national level, alongside his administration’s achievements across critical sectors in Gombe State, further underscores the APC’s capacity to deliver sustainable development and good governance.
In his remarks, the member representing Akko Federal Constituency, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo said that in the spirit of equity, justice and fairness, it was only proper for Akko to support Yamaltu/Deba’s agitation for the Gombe Central Senatorial seat, describing the demand as fair, logical and morally justified, especially after Yamaltu/Deba’s support for Akko’s senatorial ambition over the past 16 years.
He said the people of Akko are fully satisfied with Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s inclusive leadership and development-focused governance.
He particularly praised the Governor’s commitment to major legacy projects in the area, including the Federal Medical Centre, Kumo, Lincoln University, Kumo, and extensive road infrastructure spread across the local government.
He also pointed out several constituency projects attracted to the area through the Governor’s support, including road construction, classroom blocks and other community-based interventions.
Also speaking, the Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Mohammed Luggerewo, assured the Governor that the people of Akko would continue to abide by his leadership direction and any consensus political arrangement reached in the interest of unity and progress, including ceeding the Gombe Central Senatorial seat to Yamaltu Deba.
Traditional rulers at the event, including the Lamido of Akko, Alhaji Mohammed Umar Atiku, the Emir of Pindiga, Alhaji Mohammed Ahmed Seyoji, and the Lamido of Gona, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, all emphasized the need for political inclusivity and peaceful power-sharing, pledging to support whatever decision the Governor takes in the interest of unity and tranquility.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of Akko Local Government Area, Hon. Mohammed Danladi Adamu, said the delegation was at Government House to reaffirm its loyalty, solidarity and unalloyed support for Governor Inuwa Yahaya.
He formally backed the earlier request by the people of Yamaltu/Deba for the Senate seat to be zoned to them, noting that whatever decision the Governor eventually makes would be binding and acceptable to the people of Akko.
The Chairman also commended the Governor for the numerous developmental strides recorded in Akko, including the construction of over 30 primary healthcare centres, the actualization of the Federal Medical Centre, Kumo, establishment of a new School of Nursing and Midwifery, the Lincoln University project, and multiple road networks that have significantly boosted socio-economic activities in the area.
The solidarity visit ended with a renewed pledge by the people of Akko to stand firmly with Governor Inuwa Yahaya, support President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, and uphold peaceful political consensus for the continued progress of Gombe State. END
