By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Yahaya, on Wednesday warned politicians and their supporters against violence ahead of the conduct of party primaries for the 2027 general elections, declaring that his administration would enforce zero tolerance for lawlessness and political unrest.
Speaking in a statewide broadcast at his conference room, the governor said political parties across the state would conduct their primaries in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act provides that political parties can only nominate candidates through either direct primaries or consensus arrangements.
“As you are all aware, preparations for the 2027 general elections have begun. Political parties are expected to conduct their primary elections in accordance with the Electoral Act 2026,” he stated.
The governor disclosed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) initially explored the consensus option with the support of the party’s elders and state executives, describing the process as largely successful.
“Many aspirants rallied behind our endorsed candidates across various elective offices. However, complete consensus could not be reached due to disagreements from a few aspirants,” he said.
Yahaya explained that the inability to secure unanimous acceptance of the consensus arrangement made direct primaries inevitable.
“In the absence of unanimous acceptance of the consensus option, we must proceed with direct primaries. This is democracy at work. 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,” the governor said.
The governor, who noted that he would be entering the final year of his second term on May 29, stressed that preserving peace and stability in the state remained his top priority.
“I address you today not as a candidate or political leader, but as a governor who took an oath to protect lives and property. The stability of Gombe State is bigger than the ambition of any politician or political party,” he stated.
He also warned that security agencies had been directed to deal decisively with anyone attempting to disrupt the peace during and after the primaries.
“Let me be very clear: there will be zero tolerance for violence, lawlessness and political rascality from any individual or group,” he warned.
“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 added.
The governor expressed concern over what he described as the activities of “conflict entrepreneurs” seeking to exploit the political season to create instability in the state.
“Elections come and go, but Gombe State will always remain. Since its creation in 1996, the state has enjoyed relative peace and stability despite the security challenges facing the North-East and northern Nigeria,” he said.
He called on political parties, aspirants and supporters to place the interest of the state above personal ambitions and pledged continued collaboration with security agencies to ensure peaceful primaries and general elections.
“Together, we must deny agents of darkness and merchants of conflict the opportunity to sow seeds of discord among our people,” the governor said.
