GOVERNOR Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya says the All Progressives Congress, APC is a party full of competent candidates who are upright in character; full of experience, knowledge and zeal to take the state and nation to greater heights.
Governor Inuwa stated this while rounding-off the state-wide presentations of flags to APC standard bearers across the 24 State constituencies of Gombe State in fulfillment of the directive of the national chairman of the party.
He called on party officials, candidates and supporters to close ranks and work in synergy with common interest to take the party to victory in the interest of democracy and development of Gombe State.
He charged the supporters not to be swayed by the antics of those he described as political bandits parading as opposition candidates who have nothing to offer the good people of Gombe State.
The governor’s entourage visited Malala town of Dukku LGA where the governor presented APC flag to the party’s candidate, Engr Nasir Abdulkadir as flag bearer for Dukku North State Constituency.
He expressed confidence in the party’s candidate in the constituency. He said, “I am confident that Engr Nasir will never betray the confidence reposed in him by the electorate; he will definitely delivery Dukku North to the APC and lead us to victor by the grace of God”.
“Our campaign is not just about words and promises, it is about substance and delivery. We have substantially kept to our campaign promises and with your support we shall insha Allah consolidate on the gains of the first term. We didn’t let you down before and we shall never!
He stressed the need for people who are yet to collect their PVCs to collect their cards to be able to vote credible leaders. “Whatever love you have for us, you cannot elect us to any position unless you have your PVCs. So take advantage of the window of opportunity provided by INEC to collect your cards and vote for the APC from top to bottom “.
He also expressed appreciation to the commitment of party members across the length and breadth of the state for their unflinching support and solidarity through out his tour, maintaining his usual upbeat disposition of a resounding victory for APC at all levels.
In his response at Malala after receiving his flag, Engr Nasiru Abdulkarim thanked the governor and the party leadership for the final endorsement, saying that he considers it a challenge to deliver Dukku-North Constituency to Governor Inuwa Yahaya and the APC.
At Dukku town, amidst jubilant crowd of supporters, the governor presented the APC flag to the party’s standard bearer, Hon. Adamu Umar endorsing him as candidate for Dukku South Constituency.
“Here, Hon. Adamu Umar is our field commander and we are sure he will lead the party to victory.
“And with the APC’s numerical strength in Dukku, the party will definitely give opposition a crushing defeat at the polls,” he added.
Responding, Hon. Adamu Umar said APC has nothing to worry about in Dukku, assuring to deliver the whole constituency to the party in the forthcoming elections.
The rally at Dukku also featured reception of hundreds of decampees from PDP, SDP, NNPP and other parties including executives and candidates.
Presenting the decampees to the Governor and the leadership of the party, the Gombe State Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development, Malam Muhammad Gambo Magaji said a total of 465 SDP members denounced their membership and joined the APC, including the Local Government Party Chairman and his executives, EXCOs of the entire 11 Wards of the LGA plus the party’s candidate for the Dukku South Constituency as well as additional 109 women from PDP, NNPP and other opposition parties.
Receiving the decampees, the State Deputy Chairman of the APC, Alh. Baba Abuja described the incessant defection of members of the opposition parties to the rulling APC as a strong indication that the party will have a landslide victory in the forthcoming elections, assuring the defectors of equal treatment.
Speaking on behalf of all the decampees, the former Dukku Local Government Chairman of the SDP, Muhammad Salihu said, the entire leadership structure of his former party in the LGA defected to APC owing to their satisfaction with the achievements of the Inuwa-led administration.
Others who drummed for more support for the APC at the venues of the events included: Senator Sa’idu Ahmad Alkali, Senatorial Candidate for Gombe North and Hon. Aishatu Jibir Dukku, APC candidate for Dukku/Nafada Federal Constituency as well the the 2 state constituency candidates in Dukku LGA.
The governor’s entourage included: the Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, Director General Gombe APC Campaign Council, Barrister Zubair Muhammad Umar, Dr Jamilu Isiyaka Gwamna; Gombe State Director for Tinubu/Shettima Campaign, Dr Bala Bello Tinka, Commissioners, Special Advisers among other numerous party stalwarts and government functionaries.