Gombe is a 50:50 chance ~Observer
Chima Azubuike
The past 16 years Gombe state has been in the Kitty of the PDP, interestingly so after it then Governor Sen. Danjuma Mohammed Goje, late Alh. Abubakar Habu Hashidu of the All peoples party (APP) who accepted the result of his defeat, conceded to his opponent even as a sitting governor, although he took another unsuccessful shot at the seat but lost . So, for a long time now Gombe seems like a ” no go state” for the opposition, in 2015 after the Buhari change tsunami blew states across the north the outgoing Governor Dr. Ibrahim Dankwambo stood unshaken as he retained his seat for the peoples Democratic party, what made it interesting was after he fell out with his former boss and strong man of Gombe politics. In a chat with a political analyst and resident of Gombe state Mr Christopher Joshua, he said
” I see a change in the affairs of the state, my hope is that the best man will win. Someone that can do much more than we have now” he added.
The chairman of the Peoples Democratic party Gombe state Bar. Joel Adamu Jogafa, told punch that Sen. Usman Bayero Nafada, is the best man for the job. He reiterated that
“A vote for Nafada is a vote for continuity, good governance. Nafada has risen through the rank in the legisture, he will combine that experience for the progress of Gombe, the greatest undoing for Gombe people is to follow what can not deliver, PDP is known for service and that is what we will continue to give to our people”. In a separate interview with the Director general Inuwa Yahaya Campaign organization Bar. Zubair Umar, he said
“the APC candidate Inuwa Muhammad Yahaya, is the most sophisticated for the job, he has being commissioner, experienced business man and a man of integrity.APC will win the election because the people of Gombe are
tired and willing to move to the next level. Go to the villages the people are yearning for development that is what we are going to give to them” Zubair added. Another chieftain of the All progressives Congress Alh. Bala Bello Tinka, he said
“We are winning the election go and tell them I said so, the result on ground is evident. APC has all it takes to win this election” he maintained.
The chairman PDP media and publicity committee council Hon. Dahiru Hassan Kera, noted that
“the PDP will be victorious in March 9 election just like it was in 2015. The presidential election is a different ball game, the chance of our Candidate is promising.The same way the people voted massively for the second term bid of Governor Dankwambo, and members of the state house of Assembly that is how they will vote for Usman Bayero Nafada, because he is the most qualified candidate” he noted.
However, the two leading candidates have things working for them, According to Titus Usman, a Gombe state based Broadcaster and publisher he said
“the gubernatorial election is 50-50, the main candidates are from Gombe North, they both picked from southern Gombe,but different parts of south, the APC candidate picked his deputy from Balanga (Waja ethnic group) whereas PDP picked it deputy from Biliri which suffers a communal feud with kaltungo. Inuwa’s Deputy is a retired Deputy comptroller of customs, whereas Nafada’s deputy is the current deputy governor who failed to win his polling unit” he noted.
The out going governor has not shown so much interest in his party’s candidate, it is believed that he wants him to get it fair and square, knowing the challenge of successor and predecessor relationship especially as a victim. This feeling is believed to have been the major reason the party faired poorly in the just concluded presidential election, All these and many more may decide the winner. But with the recent triumph of APC in the state from the presidential, National Assembly elections, recent endorsements on both ends of the divide. One thing remains clear there is an impending tsunami which is blowing. what may not be crystal is in whose favour it may move to. This is because voter’s have realised their strength as some do not vote for the same party in the centre, for the state election while others prefers to be in the same sink with any party at the centre in other to enjoy the goodies of state-Federal alignment.