Politics
Gombe 2023 Proved It: No Governor Owns the Votes
By Ibrahim Salisu Hinna
Recent political defections in Gombe State have reignited debate over a long-held assumption in Nigerian politics — that a sitting governor automatically controls the voting direction of the electorate.
The conversation resurfaced following developments in the state’s House of Representatives representation, where two lawmakers elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
2023 Elections Told a Different Story
In the 2023 general elections, Gombe State presented a striking political contrast. Although the state government was controlled by the APC, five out of the six seats in the House of Representatives were won by PDP candidates.
The outcome was widely interpreted as proof that voters in Gombe could make independent choices, separating state-level leadership from federal legislative representation. Analysts noted at the time that incumbency at the state level did not automatically translate into dominance at the federal polls.
The results effectively challenged the popular belief that governors possess the political machinery to determine electoral outcomes across all tiers.
Wave of Defections
However, the political landscape has since shifted. Two PDP lawmakers representing Yamaltu/Deba and Dukku/Nafada federal constituencies have now defected to the APC. Speculation is mounting that the remaining three PDP lawmakers may also follow suit.
Under Nigeria’s democratic framework, defection by elected officials is lawful, particularly when justified by internal party crises or strategic political alignment. Lawmakers often argue that moving to the ruling party enhances their ability to attract projects and better represent their constituents.
Yet beyond the legal provisions lies a deeper political and moral question — the issue of mandate.
Mandate and Voter Intent
Observers argue that when voters elect opposition candidates in a state governed by another party, it is often a deliberate act of balancing power. Such choices may reflect dissatisfaction, strategic preference, or a desire for broader representation.
A post-election change of party platform, critics say, can raise concerns about whether the original mandate is being preserved in spirit.
The 2023 results in Gombe were seen as a clear signal that voters were capable of distinguishing between party structures and individual candidates. The electorate demonstrated that votes are not automatically transferred based on the governor’s party affiliation.
Power Is Dynamic
Political analysts note that defections are often driven by shifting power dynamics. Political alignment tends to gravitate toward perceived centres of influence. However, power in Nigeria’s political system remains fluid.
Today’s ruling party at the state or federal level may not retain that status indefinitely. Political dominance is neither static nor permanent.
For the remaining PDP lawmakers in Gombe, the unfolding developments present a defining moment. While political strategy is a reality, public perception also matters in an era of growing political awareness.
Constituents, many argue, are increasingly attentive to political movements and may weigh such decisions in future elections.
Faith and Politics
Gombe, like much of Nigeria, is deeply rooted in faith. Many residents believe that leadership is ultimately determined by divine will. While political parties provide platforms for contestation, destiny, in the eyes of believers, transcends party structures.
In that sense, electoral success is viewed not only as a product of political calculation but also as a reflection of divine decree.
A Lesson for the Political Class
The unfolding events in Gombe offer a broader lesson in democratic accountability. Governors do not manufacture votes, and no party permanently owns political power.
The 2023 House of Representatives elections demonstrated that authority ultimately rests with the electorate. As political alignments continue to evolve, one principle remains constant — the people decide.
And in the final analysis, power belongs neither to governors nor to parties, but to the voters of Gombe State.
Former Opposition Figure Pledges Political Structure to Support Jamil Gwamna, Other APC Candidates Ahead of 2027 Elections
By Our Political Reporter
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has received former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Alhaji Abdulkadir Hamma-Saleh, into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in a move that could reshape political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Hamma-Saleh, who previously contested for the PDP governorship ticket against former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, announced his decision to leave the opposition party and join the APC in a press statement made available to journalists in Gombe.
The former governorship aspirant also called on his supporters across Gombe State to join him in the APC and support the party’s candidates at all levels of government.
His defection comes amid increasing political realignments in the state as political parties and aspirants intensify efforts to consolidate their support bases ahead of the 2027 elections.
Hamma-Saleh’s move is considered a significant development in Gombe’s political landscape, given his previous involvement in the PDP’s governorship contest and his role among the party’s political stakeholders.
The development also comes against the backdrop of internal disputes surrounding the PDP governorship ticket, following the emergence of Professor Pantami as the party’s candidate and subsequent legal challenges over the primary election.
By joining the APC, Hamma-Saleh has signalled his intention to align with the ruling party as political activities gather momentum ahead of the next electoral cycle.
His call for supporters to rally behind the APC could provide an opportunity for the party to strengthen its grassroots mobilisation and expand its political base across the state’s 11 local government areas.
Meanwhile, Governor Inuwa Yahaya and other APC stakeholders are expected to continue engaging political actors as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The defection adds to the evolving political dynamics in Gombe State, where party loyalty, strategic alliances and grassroots mobilisation are expected to play important roles in determining the outcome of the forthcoming elections.
However, the number of thousands Hamma-Saleh’s supporters already join him in the APC.
As the 2027 elections approach, political observers will be watching how the development affects the strength of the APC and the PDP, as well as the broader contest for political influence in Gombe State.
Politics
2027: Ex-PDP Governorship Aspirant Hamma Saleh Collects APC Membership Card, Mobilises Support for APC at all levels
By Our Political Reporter
A former governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Hamma Saleh, has officially collected his membership card of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nafada West Ward, Nafada Local Government Area, pledging to work for the party’s success at all levels in the 2027 general elections.
Hamma Saleh, also known as Dokajin Nafada, collected his APC membership card on Sunday, October 18, 2026, following his defection from the PDP to the ruling party.
The event attracted a large gathering of APC supporters, party leaders and other stakeholders who welcomed him into the party at the Nafada Local Government Secretariat.
The reception was led by the Chairman of Nafada Local Government Area, Hon. Dr. Babangida Adamu Jigawa, Danmasanin Nafada, alongside other APC leaders and stakeholders in the area.
The Commissioner for Livestock Development, Alhaji Salisu Baba Alkali, was also present to welcome Hamma Saleh into the APC.
Speaking after receiving his membership card, Hamma Saleh expressed his commitment to strengthening the APC in Nafada Local Government Area and across Gombe State.
He urged his supporters to rally behind the party and vote for its candidates in the 2027 general elections.
The former PDP governorship aspirant specifically called on his supporters to vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC governorship candidate in Gombe State, Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, and the party’s senatorial candidate for Gombe North, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, alongside other APC candidates.
He emphasised the need for unity and collective commitment among party members to ensure the APC’s success in the forthcoming elections.
Hamma Saleh also expressed appreciation to the Nafada Local Government Chairman, Hon. Dr. Babangida Adamu Jigawa, party leaders and supporters for the warm reception accorded him.
As part of his activities during the visit, Hamma Saleh paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Emir of Nafada, Alhaji Muhammad Dadum Hamza, to pay homage to the traditional institution.
His defection marks another political development in Gombe State as political parties and their stakeholders continue to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The move is expected to attract attention within the state’s political landscape, particularly in Nafada Local Government Area and the remaining 10 LGAs of Gombe, where Hamma Saleh is seeking to mobilise his supporters behind the APC.
By Our Political Reporter
Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Gombe State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Hamma Saleh, has formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), weeks after resigning from the opposition party, in a political development that could reshape alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Hamma Saleh announced his defection in a press release made available to journalists in Gombe on Friday, calling on his supporters across the state to join him in supporting the APC and its candidates at all levels.
The move marks a new chapter in the political career of Hamma Saleh, who is regarded by his supporters as one of the longstanding political stakeholders in the PDP in Gombe State.
His defection is expected to generate discussions within the state’s political circles, particularly given his experience in party politics, grassroots mobilisation and his relationships with political stakeholders across the state.
Hamma Saleh is believed to have established a considerable support base across Gombe State’s 11 local government areas and 114 wards, a factor that could make his entry into the APC significant as the party prepares for the 2027 elections.
His supporters maintain that his political experience, personal integrity and longstanding engagement with grassroots communities could strengthen the APC’s mobilisation efforts ahead of the polls.
The development could also have implications for the PDP, particularly if some of his loyalists decide to follow him into the ruling party. However, the number of supporters likely to move with him has not been independently established.
Hamma Saleh’s political realignment comes amid growing manoeuvres by political parties and aspirants seeking to consolidate their support bases, build alliances and position themselves for electoral contests in 2027.
His previous resignation from the PDP had already generated interest among political observers, with his subsequent decision to join the APC providing further insight into the changing political alignments in Gombe State.
For the APC, his arrival could offer an opportunity to strengthen its grassroots structures and expand its reach among voters, particularly in communities where he enjoys political influence.
As political activities intensify across Gombe State, attention will increasingly focus on whether Hamma Saleh can translate his political experience and claimed grassroots influence into tangible electoral support for the APC.
His defection adds another dimension to the evolving political contest in Gombe State, where party loyalty, grassroots mobilisation and strategic alliances are expected to play crucial roles in the battle for political dominance in 2027.
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