By Sabiu Abdullahi
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State has set a target of at least one million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Governor Muhammadu Yahaya announced the target on Saturday during the party’s campaign flag-off in Bajoga, Funakaye Local Government Area, where he led thousands of supporters and party leaders.
Yahaya expressed confidence that the APC would win all elective positions in the state, including the governorship and legislative seats. He described Gombe as “sealed and delivered” for Tinubu and other party candidates.
The event was attended by the Special Adviser to the President on Political and Other Matters, Ibrahim Masari; APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Dalori; former governors, National Assembly members and other party leaders.
Addressing supporters, the governor urged residents to support Tinubu’s bid for a second term, arguing that APC-led administrations had brought significant development to the state and the country.
“We have every reason to support Mr President to consolidate on the reforms he has started,” the governor said.
He defended the Tinubu administration’s economic and power sector reforms, saying they had created opportunities for state governments to participate in electricity generation, transmission and distribution.
Yahaya cited the one-megawatt power plant commissioned in Talasse and ongoing four-megawatt projects in Kaltungo, Kumo, Bajoga and Dukku as examples of the benefits of the reforms.
He also listed the Federal Orthopaedic Hospital in Billiri, Federal Medical Centre in Kumo, Kaltungo Snakebite Research Centre and projects at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, as evidence of increased federal investment in the state.
The governor further highlighted road and railway projects, including the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu corridor and the proposed railway development from Jos towards the North-East.
He said his administration had constructed more than 1,100 kilometres of roads across Gombe State and invested in livestock, agriculture and commerce.
Among the projects he mentioned were the Ultramodern International Livestock Market, International Grains Market, Timberland Abattoir and Inland Dry Port.
“We are not promising; we are asking you to rate us based on our deliverance, and development has been taken to every nook and cranny of the state,” Yahaya said.
He disclosed that the North-East Development Commission would reconstruct the Gombe-Dukku, Gombe-Bajoga-Potiskum and Gombe-Yola roads. He added that a six-span bridge linking Galda in Yobe State with Jigawa in Gombe State would also be constructed.
Yahaya attributed the payment of the state’s accumulated gratuity backlog partly to the improved financial position of the state following the Tinubu administration’s policies.
On the forthcoming elections, he urged APC members to mobilise voters across the state’s 11 local government areas, expressing confidence that the party would retain power at all levels.
“Insha Allah, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is coming back, and we are going to win from head to toe.
“As far as Gombe is concerned, Mr Adviser, tell Mr President that he should go to bed with two eyes closed. The case is closed. Gombe is delivered. It is sealed and delivered,” he declared.
Masari, in his remarks, described Yahaya as a trusted, people-oriented and fearless leader whose administration had strengthened the APC’s political standing in Gombe and the North-East. He also predicted a landslide victory for the party in 2027.
Dalori urged Gombe to lead the APC’s electoral success in the North-East, praising Yahaya’s development projects.
“Let Gombe lead APC in the North-East. The opposition should stop wasting time, as the people have already decided to vote for respect instead of disrespect, development instead of backwardness, unity instead of disunity and peace over chaos,” Dalori said.
The party’s governorship candidate, Dr Jamil Ishyaku Gwamna, pledged to build on the achievements of Yahaya’s administration if elected in 2027.
“Where we can build, we will; where we will improve, we will, because Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has already trailblazed. We will make sure everybody is carried along — the youth, women and rural communities,” he said.
Gwamna added that he would soon unveil his manifesto, which would outline his plans for the state.
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senator Usman Bayero, also praised Tinubu’s contributions to Gombe, describing Yahaya’s achievements as a strong foundation for the next APC administration.
Former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali-Modu Sheriff, said developments along major roads leading into Gombe reflected the state’s transformation. Former Adamawa State Governor, Senator Bindow Jibrilla, also urged residents to support Tinubu and other APC candidates.
The Deputy Governor of Yobe State, Idi Barde Gubana, who represented Governor Mai Mala Buni, called for national unity and political stability, saying Tinubu should be allowed to complete two terms in office.
Earlier, Gombe APC Chairman Mohammed Ndus described the campaign flag-off as the beginning of the party’s drive towards victory. He urged members to mobilise voters at the grassroots.
“Elections are won at the grassroots. I urge everybody to go back to his polling unit and vote for the APC from head to toe,” Ndus said.
The campaign council, led by its Director-General, Sa’adu Hassan, is expected to intensify mobilisation across the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
