As the countdown to the 2027 general elections gathers momentum, Gombe State is once again preparing for a political contest that many observers believe will redefine the state’s power dynamics.
At the centre of the unfolding drama are two of Gombe’s most influential political figures — Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo.
The battle is not for the Government House this time, but for the coveted Gombe North Senatorial seat.
Yet, judging by the political stakes involved, the contest promises to be every bit as intense as a governorship election.
For many political observers, the looming showdown represents more than a struggle for legislative representation; it is the latest chapter in a rivalry that has shaped Gombe politics for over a decade.
A Rivalry Rooted in Political History:
The roots of the contest stretch back to 2011 when the question of who would succeed former governor Danjuma Goje dominated political discussions across the state.
At the time, Inuwa Yahaya, then Commissioner for Finance, was widely considered a strong contender.
However, Goje eventually threw his weight behind Dankwambo, a technocrat who had risen from Accountant-General of Gombe State to become Accountant-General of the Federation.
Dankwambo emerged governor and went on to serve two terms from 2011 to 2019.
The decision, however, planted the seeds of a political rivalry that would influence subsequent elections in the state.
The relationship between Dankwambo and his political benefactor later deteriorated, creating new alliances and rivalries.
Goje eventually aligned with Yahaya, setting the stage for one of the fiercest governorship contests in Gombe’s history.
The Battle That Defined Gombe Politics:
In 2015, Yahaya challenged Dankwambo for the governorship. The election was fiercely contested, with both camps mobilising extensive political structures across the state.
Although Dankwambo secured re-election with 285,369 votes against Yahaya’s 205,132, the contest cemented Yahaya’s position as a formidable political force.
Yahaya maintained that the advantage of incumbency played a decisive role in the outcome.
Four years later, the political tide shifted dramatically.
In 2019, Yahaya returned stronger, defeating Senator Usman Bayero Nafada, Dankwambo’s preferred successor, to become governor.
He further consolidated his influence in 2023 by defeating another PDP-backed candidate, Muhammad Jibrin Barde.
Today, the same two political heavyweights are once again on a collision course.
The Road to 2027
The stage was formally set when Governor Inuwa Yahaya secured the senatorial ticket of the ruling APC, positioning himself for a transition from Government House to the National Assembly after completing his second term in 2027.
Not long after, the PDP in Gombe North endorsed Dankwambo as its consensus candidate during an affirmation exercise held in Malam Sidi. The gathering drew party leaders, stakeholders and officials from the five local government areas that make up the district — Gombe, Kwami, Funakaye, Dukku and Nafada.
Party leaders described Dankwambo as an experienced and unifying figure capable of leading the PDP’s efforts to reclaim political relevance in the district.
The endorsement effectively transformed the senatorial race into a direct confrontation between two politicians whose careers have become deeply intertwined.
Incumbency Versus Experience.
Political analysts believe Governor Yahaya enters the race with considerable advantages.
The APC currently dominates Gombe’s political landscape, controlling the governorship, the state’s senatorial seats, all House of Representatives positions and the entire State House of Assembly. Such extensive political control provides a formidable campaign structure.
Supporters also point to the governor’s record in office, highlighting major infrastructure projects and the payment of long-standing gratuities owed to retirees as evidence of effective leadership.
Dankwambo, however, remains a significant political force.
His years as governor and his current position as senator have earned him loyal supporters across the district. Many still regard him as one of the most experienced politicians in Gombe State, capable of mobilising substantial grassroots support despite the PDP’s challenges.
The Weight of Public Expectations.
Despite their political stature, neither contender enters the race without baggage.
Some APC supporters accuse Yahaya’s administration of failing to adequately reward loyal party members who contributed to his electoral victories. Critics argue that sections of the party structure feel excluded from governance.
Dankwambo faces a different challenge. Some constituents in Gombe North have expressed concerns over accessibility and engagement, claiming that the senator has not maintained sufficient contact with grassroots supporters since his election.
Whether these criticisms will significantly influence voter behaviour remains uncertain. What is clear is that both politicians will have to convince voters that they remain the best choice to represent the district.
More Than a Senate Seat
Beyond the contest itself, the election carries symbolic significance.
For Yahaya, victory would represent the continuation of a political journey that has seen him overcome repeated setbacks to become the dominant figure in Gombe politics.
For Dankwambo, retaining the seat would reaffirm his enduring relevance and demonstrate that his political influence remains intact despite years outside Government House.
As political campaigns gradually gather pace, one thing appears certain: the Gombe North Senatorial contest will command national attention.
It is a battle shaped by history, driven by ambition, and fuelled by unfinished political business.
More importantly, it is a contest between two men whose careers have repeatedly intersected at critical moments in Gombe’s political evolution.
With both camps preparing for what promises to be a hard-fought campaign, the people of Gombe North may once again find themselves witnessing a familiar spectacle — a clash of titans whose rivalry continues to define the political story of Gombe State.
Chief Ben Ngwakwe writes from Gombe State
