2027: Gombe governor warns against violence ahead of party primaries

Governor Inuwa Yahaya has warned politicians and political groups against acts of violence and lawlessness ahead of party primaries in Gombe State.

In a statewide broadcast on Wednesday, Yahaya said there would be “zero tolerance for violence, lawlessness and political rascality” before, during, and after the primaries.

The governor said preparations for the 2027 general elections had commenced, with political parties expected to conduct their primaries in line with the Electoral Act 2026.

He said Section 84(2) of the Act provides for either direct primaries or consensus in the nomination of candidates.

According to him, political parties across the country would this month select candidates for various elective offices in line with the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Yahaya said he was speaking not as a candidate or political leader but as governor committed to protecting lives and property.

The governor said he would enter the final year of his administration on May 29, adding that it had become imperative to preserve peace and harmony across the state.

He said: “The issue of primary elections is of utmost importance, given its implication for our democracy, internal stability, and social cohesion.

“My interest is not just the peaceful conduct of primaries in my own party, the APC, but across all political parties in Gombe State.”

Yahaya said the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the support of the party’s elders committee and state executive committee, had earlier explored the consensus option for selecting candidates.

He said the arrangement succeeded in many cases, with several aspirants supporting endorsed candidates for different elective positions.

The governor, however, said complete consensus could not be achieved due to disagreements among some aspirants.

“In the absence of unanimous acceptance of the consensus option, we must proceed with direct primaries, in line with Section 87(2) of the Electoral Act.

“This is democracy at work. As I have always said, the will of the people must prevail, and direct primaries offer every aspirant a fair and transparent platform to seek the mandate of party members,” he said.

Yahaya said the stability of Gombe State was more important than the ambition of any politician or political party.

“As a Governor, my biggest priority is the security and wellbeing of the people. The stability of Gombe State is bigger than the ambition of any politician or political party,” he stated.

The governor said some “unpatriotic politicians and conflict entrepreneurs” were attempting to exploit the primaries to foment unrest in the state.

“Already, those individuals and groups have started revealing their dirty hands. Let me be very clear: there will be zero tolerance for violence, lawlessness and political rascality from any individual or group,” he noted.

Yahaya warned that anyone involved in any breakdown of law and order would face legal consequences irrespective of status.

“Any individual or group, no matter how highly placed, who is implicated in any breakdown of law and order — before, during and after the primary elections — will face severe legal consequences,” he said.

The governor urged political parties, aspirants, and other stakeholders to prioritise the peace and stability of the state above political interests.

He said his administration would continue to work with security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure peaceful primaries and general elections across the state.