My Dear People of Gombe State
It is with a great sense of responsibility that I address you today as we approach a critical moment in our democratic journey.
2.As you are all aware, preparations for the 2027 general elections have began. As a result, all political parties are required to conduct their primary elections in line with the Electoral Act of 2026. Specifically, Section 84(2) of the Act establishes the legally recognized methods for nominating candidates, which provides that candidate selection must now be done via either direct primaries or consensus.
3.This month, across our state and Nigeria at large, political parties will select candidates who will fly their flags for various elective positions in the upcoming 2027 general elections, in accordance with INEC guidelines.
4.Today, I address you not as a candidate or a political leader, but as Governor who took an oath to protect your lives and property. I have always lived true to that oath. In the next few days, specifically May 29th, I will be entering my final year in office, thus bringing my two terms of eight years to a close. It therefore becomes imperative for me to work harder and ensure that peace and harmony prevails in our state more than ever before.
5.The issue of primary elections is of utmost importance, given its implication for our democracy, internal stability, and social cohesion. My interest is not just the peaceful conduct of primaries in my own party, the APC, but across all political parties in Gombe State.
16.Some weeks ago, with the support of the APC Elders’ Committee and the State Executive Committee, we in the APC made a spirited attempt to explore the consensus option. That exercise, done in good faith and in orderto preserve party unity, was a huge success, as many aspirants rallied behind our endorsed candidates across various elective offices. However, complete consensus could not be reached due to disagreements from a few aspirants.
7.In the absence of unanimous acceptance of the consensus option, we must proceed with direct primaries, in line with Section 87(2) of the Electoral Act. This is democracy at work. As I have always said, the will of the people must prevail, and direct primaries offer every aspirant a fair and transparent platform to seek the mandate of party members.
8.As a Governor, my biggest priority is the security and wellbeing of the people. The stability of Gombe State is bigger than the ambition of any politician or political party. As a product of this same political process, I myself have passed through primaries and run in general elections several times. I remain committed to providing a level-playing field for all political parties and individuals to express their choices and attain political prominence by being elected to high political offices.
9.Like in every electoral contest, there are unpatriotic politicians and conflict entrepreneurs who seek to hide behind the upcoming primary elections to stoke chaos and conflict. Already, those individuals and groups have started revealing their dirty hands. Let me be very clear: there will be zero tolerance for violence, lawlessness and political rascality from any individual or group.
10.Any individual or group, no matter how highly placed, who is implicated in any breakdown of law and order – before, during and after the primary elections – will face severe legal consequences. My administration will never shy away from its responsibility of protecting the lives, properties and livelihoods of our people across the state.
11.I would like to remind all stakeholders that elections come and go, but Gombe State will always remain. Gombe is the only state we have. Since its creation in 1996, Gombe State has enjoyed relative peace and stability despite the crisis affecting our North-East subregion and the wider northern Nigeria. This is the result of our collective vigilance, unity in diversity, and strict adherence to the rule of law. Under my watch as governor, I intend to jealously guard this hard-earned peace and stability.
12.I call on all stakeholders – from political parties to individual aspirants to put the interest of Gombe State first before any other consideration.
On our part, we are committed to working with the security agencies and other relevant stakeholders so as to ensure a peaceful conduct of party primaries and indeed the upcoming general elections by all political parties across the state.
13.On a final note, I would like to thank the general public for the continuous support and prayers. Together, we must join hands to deny those agents of darkness and merchants of conflict the chance to use political contests in order to sow the seeds of discord and disaffection amongst our people.
14.With your support and prayers, I have no doubt that the upcoming primary elections – and the subsequent general elections – will be conducted in an atmosphere of peace and security.
Thank you for listening and God bless you all!
God bless Gombe State!!
God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!