A sociocultural group, the Nyimatli Development Association (NDA), on Monday called for the zoning of the 2027 Gombe Central senatorial seat to Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, citing the need for equity and balanced representation.
The group made the demand during a press briefing in Gombe, where its Secretary, Emmanuel Usman, spoke alongside other executive members. He said the position reflects the collective stance of the people of Yamaltu/Deba.
According to him, Gombe Central comprises two local government areas—Akko and Yamaltu/Deba—and fairness demands a rotational arrangement of the Senate seat between both councils.
He noted that the current occupant of the seat, Senator Danjuma Goje, who is from Akko, would have spent 16 years in the Senate by the end of the current legislative session, having earlier served two terms as Governor of Gombe State.
Usman described the appeal as a necessary step toward promoting equity, unity, justice, and inclusiveness in the senatorial district.
“Akko has held the seat for too long, and it is now our turn to ensure equitable representation. This is the message from the Tera people and the people of Yamaltu/Deba.
“The people of Yamaltu/Deba LGA are concerned about representation at the National Assembly, particularly in the Senate.
“Yamaltu/Deba is part of the Gombe Central Senatorial District, which comprises Akko and Yamaltu/Deba. By extension, the seat should rotate between the two LGAs.
“At the return to democracy, the first senator was from Akko, who served for four years, after which it shifted to Yamaltu/Deba for another four years.
“Subsequently, Senator Danjuma Goje from Akko emerged and has now served four consecutive terms, amounting to 16 years, without the seat returning to Yamaltu/Deba.
“We believe that since the seat is collectively owned, equity and justice demand that after Akko’s 16 years, it should now return to Yamaltu/Deba,” he said.
Usman noted that the demand was not a reflection of dissatisfaction with Goje’s performance, but rather a concern over what he described as prolonged imbalance in representation.
“Yamaltu/Deba already feels marginalised—not because the current senator lacks competence, but because we have been denied the opportunity to represent the district,” he added.
He further stated that the local government area has a pool of qualified politicians and technocrats capable of representing the district effectively and accelerating development.
“We have supported Goje, voted for him, and given him the platform to lead. It is now time for him to reciprocate by stepping aside for others from Yamaltu/Deba to occupy the Senate seat,” Usman said.
The association also called on Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, as leader of the All Progressives Congress in the state, to intervene and ensure fairness, inclusion, and justice in the zoning arrangement.
