By Our Correspondent

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Gombe State Chapter, has raised alarm over alleged irregularities in the distribution of the 2024/2025 fertilizer scheme by the state’s Ministry of Agriculture, warning that students may take to the streets in mass protest if the government fails to act.

In a statement signed by the state chairman, Comrade Usman Ibrahim Wakili CNS, NANS expressed “serious concern” about what it described as diversion, hoarding, favoritism, and lack of transparency in the allocation process.

According to the student body, these activities have eroded public trust and sabotaged government’s efforts at boosting agriculture and guaranteeing food security in Gombe State.

“We therefore demand an immediate and thorough investigation by His Excellency, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, into the fertilizer distribution exercise. Those found guilty of sabotaging this process must be exposed and brought to book without delay,” the statement read.

The association stressed that failure of the government to act swiftly would leave Nigerian students in the state with no choice but to mobilize for peaceful protests in solidarity with farmers and the general public, who they described as the direct victims of the alleged injustice.

“As the voice of Nigerian students, we cannot fold our arms while corruption and mismanagement deny our people access to essential resources meant for their welfare and survival,” NANS warned.

The group urged Governor Inuwa Yahaya to demonstrate accountability by ensuring that fertilizers reach genuine farmers at the right time and affordable price, emphasizing that transparency and fairness are the only way to restore confidence in the process.

NANS further vowed to defend these values “through every lawful means available, including peaceful demonstrations.”

By Our Correspondent

Former Special Adviser on Information Management and Strategy to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara, has released a scathing open letter accusing top officials of the Gombe State Government of conspiracy, victimization, and gross mismanagement of public resources.

In the strongly worded letter dated September 7, 2025, Gara said he was compelled to go public in order to “circumvent bureaucratic bottlenecks” and ensure that the people of Gombe State were fully aware of what he described as a “coordinated gang-up” against him.

“I have supported you more than enough,” Gara wrote, addressing Governor Inuwa Yahaya directly. “I have respected you, sacrificed for you, and defended your government with my little resources. But your officials and appointees have now conspired against me, provoking me to fight you, though I exercised restraint out of respect.”

Allegations of Mismanagement in Sports Sector

Gara linked his current ordeal to his persistent queries about alleged corruption in Gombe’s sports sector. He alleged that some government officials mismanaged funds allocated for the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, proceeds from the sale of Gombe United players abroad, and allocations to Gombe Bulls Basketball Club.

He further listed the disappearance of 12 trophies he personally donated, two coaster buses reportedly auctioned at ₦39,000, synthetic pitch rolls meant for Pantami Stadium, and furniture and tractors allegedly missing from the facility.

According to Gara, the recent dissolution of sports associations in the state was politically motivated and targeted at silencing him.

“I Worked Without Support”

The former adviser recounted his service under Governor Yahaya, claiming he operated his office without official funding. He said he printed his own letterhead, bought office supplies from personal resources, and even repaired his chair at Government House.

“As your adviser, I visited 22 media houses within and outside Gombe to promote your government, all with my own money. I never received a kobo for such activities. That was why I refused any second-term reappointment,” he said.

Fallout Over Morocco Trip

Gara also revealed details of a $67,000 sponsorship he facilitated from Moroccan investors to support Governor Yahaya’s delegation, including the Emir of Gombe. He claimed that despite the governor personally signing agreements during the trip, no follow-up was made, leaving the investors disappointed and branding him untrustworthy.

“Instead of rewarding my effort, I was given only $1,500 estacode and ₦6m commission on tickets. Meanwhile, those who invested heavily in the trip were abandoned while government pursued other partners for the livestock project,” Gara lamented.

Calls for Accountability

He urged Governor Yahaya to compel his appointees to account for past mismanagement, citing reports by the Auditor-General and pending probes into agencies such as Gombe Line, Bubayero Microfinance Bank, BESDA, COVID-19 palliatives, and others.

Gara said while those indicted in official scandals have not faced reprisals, he is the one being victimized by state machinery.

“The Battle is Drawn”

In conclusion, Gara warned that he has “put on his seatbelt” and is prepared for any fallout. He disclosed that his lawyers and civil society groups have been placed on standby to respond to further actions against him.

“I am bitter, I was wronged. Your Excellency, you have a chance to call all of them to order and possibly ask them to apologize,” he said, warning that the matter may escalate if left unresolved.

The Gombe State Government has yet to issue an official response to Gara’s allegations.

By Our Correspondent

Dozens of “concerned members” of the Gombe State University (GSU) Alumni Association have petitioned the Vice‑Chancellor, alleging wide‑ranging constitutional violations, abuse of office and financial irregularities by the Association’s Executive Council and Board of Trustees (BOT).

In the petition dated July 25, 2025, the signatories say the actions of the current leadership violate the Association’s Constitution ratified on May 24, 2014, and now threaten the unity and credibility of the body. They are asking the university management, the Association’s Legal Adviser, and security and anti‑corruption agencies to step in—warning that, if ignored, they will head to court.

The core allegations

1. BOT tenure elongation
Citing Section 5.2 (ii & iii) of the Constitution, the petitioners argue that BOT members are limited to a non‑renewable 10‑year tenure—a threshold they say has been exceeded. They demand an immediate reconstitution of the BOT by the General Assembly.

2. Unconstitutional Special Assistants
They accuse the Alumni President, Dr. Buhari Magaji, of unilaterally appointing two Special Assistants without constitutional backing and granting them privileges “equal to or surpassing” those of elected officers, including attendance at Exco and BOT meetings.

3. Meetings, audits and unauthorized chapter creation
Under Sections 5.2 (viii–xi) and 6.10 (iv & vi), quarterly joint meetings of the BOT and Exco—complete with administrative and financial reports—are mandatory. The petitioners say only two such meetings have held in over two years, the Internal Auditor has been sidelined, and external audits avoided.
They also fault the President’s announcement of new chapters—including at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare—arguing that Section 4.6 reserves that power for the General Assembly.

4. Politicisation of the platform
The petition alleges the President, said to be nursing political ambitions for 2027, proposed deploying the Alumni Association for political engagements and patronage, in breach of its non‑partisan ethos.

5. Financial misconduct & abuse of office
They allege unauthorised changes to one of the Association’s bank accounts without Congress approval, lack of transparency, and the use of the Association as a “political tool and commercial venture”—conduct they say offends Articles 10 and 11 and is ground for impeachment. They also accuse an expired BOT of shielding the President.

6. Fee hike without approval
The National Executive Council allegedly raised membership registration fees from ₦2,000 to ₦5,000 without consultation or ratification by the BOT or General Assembly.

7. Neglect of the Secretariat
Despite the higher fees, the Secretariat is said to be without basic work tools—computer, printer, photocopier—while the President allegedly claimed significant consumable spending there.

8–9. Accountability for projects & assets
The petitioners demand a full account of funds collected for Membership ID cards and a Photo Album, and the immediate commencement of printing and distribution. They also want a status report on the Alumni vehicle and steps to return it to service.

What the petitioners want—at a glance

Immediate reconstitution of the BOT by the General Assembly.

Nullification of unconstitutional appointments (Special Assistants).

Quarterly joint meetings with full administrative and financial reports; internal and external audits resumed.

Reversal or ratification of the ₦2,000 → ₦5,000 membership fee hike through proper procedure.

Equipping the Secretariat with basic ICT and office infrastructure.

Transparent accounting for ID cards, photo album funds, and restoration of the Alumni vehicle.

Strict adherence to constitutional limits on political activities.

Who was copied

Beyond the Vice‑Chancellor, the petition was also copied to the Gombe State Attorney‑General & Commissioner for Justice, Chairman, GSU Governing Council, Grand Patron of the Alumni Association, GSU BOT, Legal Adviser, Chief Security Officer of GSU, DSS Director (Gombe State), Commissioner of Police (Gombe Command), ICPC (Gombe State), the Nigerian Bar Association (Gombe Branch), and civil society organisations in the state, among others.

Signatories

A list attached to the petition and seen by this newspaper includes dozens of names, among them Abdullahi Ahmad, Deborah Ezekiel, Isah Umar Farouk, Abubakar Ibrahim Goni, Umar Muhammad Nasir, Abdulkadir Umar Turaki, Hajara Adamu Muhammed, Yusuf Isiyaku Aliyu, Hassan Aliyu, Abdulwahab Muhammad, Bashir Lawan, Salihu Mamuda, Abdullahi Yuguda, Hadiza Sulaiman Abdullahi, Genesis Sa’adu, Bulus Esther Jaslo, Bulus Mary Jaslo, Yusuf Babila, Gal John Cyrus, Tama Titus, Destiny Sunday, Daniel Afodiya Augustine, Daniel Simean, Roland A. Maliki, Traphena Yohanna, Lydia Emmanuel and Aishatu Idris.

Right of reply

Efforts to obtain comments from Dr. Buhari Magaji, members of the BOT, and the GSU Alumni Secretariat were unsuccessful as of press time. Should they respond, this story will be updated.

What next?

University authorities and the copied oversight and security agencies are now expected to review the petition, verify the claims, and recommend corrective steps. The petitioners insist they are committed to the Constitution and to “protecting the good image and legacy of Gombe State University”—but are prepared to seek legal redress if no action follows.