The Gombe State Government has ordered Gombawa Motors Nigeria Limited to vacate the Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo Mega Park, just two days after the transport company publicly declared support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State, Professor Isa Ali-Pantami.
Pantami is a former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.
An expulsion notice dated June 25, 2026, and signed by the Managing Director of Principal Facilities Management Limited, Mayo Ani, directed the company to leave the state-owned transport terminal within 24 hours.
The letter stated that the decision followed a resolution of the Mega Park Management Committee, accusing Gombawa Motors of repeatedly violating the park’s operational regulations, failing to comply with management directives, and attracting complaints from other transport operators.
Copies of the notice were sent to GROCOL, the Mega Park Management Committee, the Gombe State Police Command, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Although the expulsion came shortly after Gombawa Motors declared support for Pantami, the management’s letter made no reference to politics, insisting the decision was based entirely on operational infractions.
However, the company rejected the explanation, alleging that the action was politically motivated.
In a statement obtained on Saturday, the company’s Secretary, Muhammad Umar, said, “The expulsion came shortly after the company openly identified with Professor Isa Ali Pantami. The timing raises legitimate concerns over political interference.”
Umar also criticised the notice for failing to specify the offences allegedly committed by the company.
“The notice failed to clearly specify the alleged violations. Support for any political figure is a constitutional right protected under Nigerian law,” he said.
He argued that restrictions introduced following the restructuring of the Mega Park, including terminal allocations and limitations on independent loading, had placed transport operations under tighter government control.
According to him, the company’s removal violated its constitutional rights.
“This action raises constitutional concerns regarding freedom of association and the right to fair hearing. A major private transport operator should not be removed without due process and clearly established procedures,” Umar added.
When contacted, the General Manager of Gombe Line, Dr. Sani Sabo, confirmed that Gombawa Motors had been expelled from the terminal but denied any political motive behind the action.
“They are not above the law,” Sabo said, insisting the decision was taken strictly in line with the Mega Park’s operational regulations.
As of the time of filing this report, the Gombe State Government had not officially responded to the company’s allegations of political intimidation, while authorities maintained that the expulsion was purely an enforcement of the park’s operational rules.
