Former Gombe State governors Ibrahim Dankwambo and Danjuma Goje were conspicuously absent on Thursday as the All Progressives Congress inaugurated its advisory and 2027 campaign councils in the state, comprising 666 members.
According to the three-part list published by the APC, Dankwambo’s name appeared at number seven on the campaign council list and number six on the advisory council list.
Similarly, Goje was listed as number five on the advisory council and number six on the Gombe State campaign council as a patron.
The inclusion of the two former governors on the lists came despite their political affiliations and recent electoral developments.
Dankwambo, a serving senator representing Gombe North Senatorial District, is a leading figure in the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, while Goje, who represents Gombe Central Senatorial District, recently lost his bid to return to the Senate.
When contacted by our correspondent to confirm whether he was aware of his nomination into the APC advisory and campaign councils, Dankwambo replied in the negative.
He wrote, “No.”
Speaking at the inauguration in Gombe on Thursday, Governor Muhammadu Yahaya urged members of the APC campaign and advisory councils to mobilise residents and party members ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said the mobilisation drive was critical to the party’s electoral success as preparations for the polls intensified.
“This is critical to our party’s electoral victory as preparations for the 2027 polls heat up,” Yahaya said.
The governor also appealed to the people of Gombe State to support President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term, saying his re-election would enable the state to continue benefiting from the Federal Government’s development initiatives.
Yahaya expressed appreciation to the people for their continued support for his administration, which he said had enabled it to deliver on its mandate.
Earlier, the APC governorship candidate in Gombe State, Jamilu Gwamna, pledged to sustain the achievements of the current administration.
He said he would prioritise people-oriented projects aimed at improving living conditions, assuring residents that his administration would carry everyone along in the state’s development.
“Our administration will carry everyone along in the state’s development,” Gwamna said.
The former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Usman Bayero, also urged council members to remain committed and proactive in working towards the party’s success in 2027.
Bayero described Gombe as an APC stronghold and called on members to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election.
“Gombe is an APC stronghold. Members should mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election. Everyone can attest to the Federal Government’s projects across the state,” he said.