The Gombe State Coalition of Political Civil Societies and Association has carefully observed and reviewed the emerging political developments in Gombe State, particularly the activities and public engagements of candidates and political actors ahead of the forthcoming political contest.
A statement signed by Hon Hamza Ahmed Bello Ag. Chairman Gombe State Coalition of Political Civil Societies and Association said their attention has been drawn to the conduct, utterances, and political approach displayed by the PDP Governorship Candidate, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, during his recent visit to Dukku Local Government Area and at some political gatherings and interactions held within the Gombe metropolis.
The statement said the Coalition expresses serious concern and strongly condemns any attitude, statement, conduct, or political engagement capable of creating tension, promoting division, provoking political hostility, or undermining the long-standing peace, unity, and harmonious relationship among the people of Gombe State.
According to the statement,Gombe State has historically maintained a political culture founded on mutual respect, tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and responsible political engagement. Therefore, no political candidate, party, supporter, or group should be allowed to introduce political practices that may threaten the unity and stability that the people of Gombe State have collectively built and protected over the years.
It further said that while every candidate has the constitutional right to campaign, associate, mobilize supporters, and present political ideas to the electorate, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the provisions of the law, electoral regulations, and accepted standards of peaceful political conduct.
The Coalition therefore calls on the PDP Governorship Candidate, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, and all other political candidates and party leaders to demonstrate maturity, restraint, tolerance, and respect for the people and political institutions of Gombe State. Political campaigns should focus on policies, programmes, development plans, and constructive ideas rather than actions or utterances that may generate unnecessary tension or weaken public confidence in the political process.
We also call on the relevant security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political civil society organizations, traditional institutions, religious leaders, and other stakeholders to closely and impartially monitor the political activities of all political parties and candidates, including the APC, PDP, ADC, and other registered political parties, to ensure compliance with the Constitution, electoral laws, campaign regulations, and public-order requirements.
The Gombe State Coalition of Political Civil Societies and Association will not support or tolerate any individual or group whose conduct may endanger public peace, encourage political division, or destabilize the unity and peaceful coexistence of the people of Gombe State.
We firmly maintain that Gombe State is greater than the ambition of any individual, political party, or candidate. Political competition must not be allowed to destroy the peace, unity, mutual respect, and collective progress of our dear state.
We therefore urge all political actors and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly, avoid inflammatory language, respect opposing views, uphold the rule of law, and promote peaceful, issue-based, and development-oriented political campaigns.
Politics is not war. Gombe State must remain peaceful, united, and progressive before, during, and after every political contest.