Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has said that he would not tolerate any act capable of threatening peace in the state ahead of the forthcoming primary elections.
In a statewide broadcast on Wednesday, the governor said that the decision was taken following disagreements among some aspirants despite efforts by the APC Elders’ Committee and the party’s State Executive Committee to build consensus around endorsed candidates.
The governor said that some weeks ago, members of the APC with the backing of the APC Elders’ Committee and the State Executive Committee made spirited attempts to explore the consensus option.
Former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami has rejected the consensus arrangement which favoured Dr Jamilu Isiyaku Gwamna and the Senator representing Gombe Central District, Muhammadu Danjuma Goje, and protested the arrangement that ousted him after serving for 16 years.
“The party will now proceed with direct primaries in accordance with Section 87(2) of the Electoral Act,” Governor Yahaya said.
Preserving peace and stability in the State remains my top priority as political activities intensify, said the governor who will be entering the final year of his administration on May 29.
Yahaya said that the conduct of the party primaries was critical because of its implication for democracy, social cohesion and internal stability in the state. He warned that security agencies will not tolerate attempts by politicians or their supporters to use the primaries to cause trouble.
“There are some unpatriotic politicians and conflict entrepreneurs who want to hide behind the forthcoming primary elections to cause chaos and conflict,” he said.
The governor added that anybody found culpable in disrupting public peace before, during or after the primaries will face the full weight of the law assuring that anybody found wanting will not go unpunished.
The governor urged political stakeholders to place the interest of the State above personal ambitions, reminding the people that Gombe has remained relatively peaceful since its creation in 1996, despite the security challenges facing parts of the North-East.
