By Iliya Kure
A political tussle is going on in Gombe, northeast Nigeria, between Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje, over control of the state chapter of the country’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Senator Goje, a two term Governor in the State, under Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who currently represents Gombe Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, under the APC flag, is seen as the pillar who brought and sustained APC in Gombe state, and “installed” Inuwa Yahaya as guber candidate, until the 2019 election was won by the party.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya, served as Commissioner for Finance during Goje’s tenure as Governor of the state – he [Yahaya] is seen by many as political son of Goje.
Their supporters are already at loggerheads and have made it clear that there is fight between the governor and his political godfather.
Last Thursday, about 80 per cent of ward executives of APC from Yamaltu/Deba local Government Area of the State announced resignation from their leadership positions in solidarity with Sen. Goje.
The decision of the resignation was announced to journalists by immediate past Chairman of APC in Yamaltu/Deba LGA, Sulaiman Ibrahim, after a meeting of the party executives from the LGA held in Gombe, the state capital.
According to Mr. Ibrahim, the ward executives resigned in protest to the disrespect and “attack” on Sen. Goje’s convoy, three weeks ago while visiting Gombe.But in a swift reaction, spokesman for the party in the State, Moses Kyari, while addressing journalists at the party secretariat in Gombe, debunked news of the resignation saying, “it was from the pit of hell”.
“We invited you this evening as a result of the dangerous and malicious rumour circulating on the social media that all the members of the 11 wards in Yalmatu Deba local government have resigned party positions in solidarity with Sen. Danjuma Goje, it is not true, it is lie from the pit of hell.
“The people involved have come to address a press conference, the people that supposedly resigned came to debunk the allegation and to tell the story of what actually transpired. Some of the persons whose names are seen on this list are not even in town. They are sick and could not go out, so how did they arrive at the list,” he added.
APC Spokesman in Gombe State Moses Kyari Speaking on Resignation of Ward Executives
Also debunking the resignation at the State Party’s Secretariat, current APC Chairman in Yamaltu/Deba, Ali Kuri, who was flanked by executives alleged to have resigned, described the story as unfounded.
“This rumour making round is very funny and laughable, I have never seen or heard anywhere that a party exco from a ward resigned their positions without the local government chairman not aware.
“Uptil this moment that am addressing you, none of the executive has officially informed me or the party, that they have resigned their positions, rather we have sat with all of them and they confirmed that they remain in their respective positions.”
Kuri described the purveyors of the resignation as desperate elements, noting that the local government is indivisible under the current governor.
APC Yamaltu Deba LGA Chair Ali Kuri Commenting in Hausa Language on Resignation of Ward Exco
Open Fight and Show of Strength
On 5th November, former Governor of Gombe state, who is presently Senator representing Gombe Central District was attacked by thugs while visiting the state to attend a wedding ceremony.
The attack according to police report, claimed a live, leaving some vehicles burnt and others vandalised.
Goje, while addressing his supporters, after the incidence, alleged that Governor Inuwa Yahaya was behind the attack. Commenting on an earlier attack on him in Deba LGA, Goje said, “it is now the stock in trade of the governor to be attacking.”
While calming his supporters Goje said, “As a man of peace, I urge all of my supporters to maintain peace in the state and not to fight with anybody.
“I will not use my hands to destroy what I have built over the years in the state. You all witness to what happened on my way from airport to Gombe town when I was attacked by some aides of the governor including his ADC and Chief Security Officer.”
In a petition to the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police and Attorney General of Nigeria, Sen Goje accused 2 Aides of the present Governor (Inuwa Yahaya) of using mobs to assassinate him (Mr Goje) and his Personal Assistant.
The petition seen by journalists, dated 8 November and signed by his lawyer, V.C Nwadike, mentioned the state governor’s ADC, Zulaidaini Abba and Sani Bajoga, the governor’s CSO, as those behind the attack, using thugs alongside some security personnel to the location – with vehicles belonging to the state government.
“…The ADC and the CSO commanded the numerous thugs bearing matches, short axes, knives…to attack our client and those with him.
“Our client was fortunate not to be killed but his personal Assistant, Adamu Manga, received several cuts… under the supposition that our client was the one being matcheted.
“It is our client’s request that the Inspector-General of Police cause the matter to be discreetly investigated with the aim of bringing the officers and all those against whom prima facie case may be disclosed to justice by prosecuting them after disciplinary action has been taken against them to serve as (a) deterrent to others,” the petition carried.
However, the state government in its claim that the act of thuggery was carried out by the former governor, stating that the former governor “caused a breach of peace in the state capital with his visit to the state.”
On the day of the attack, Gombe State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Julius Ishaya, in a statement said, “It is sad that Goje has not left his old ways and is bent on bringing back his brainchild (Kalare) to unleash mayhem and bug the peaceful atmosphere of Gombe State.
“Gombe state has been witnessing relative peace and harmony due largely to the determination and avowed commitment of Governor Inuwa Yahaya in that direction and therefore the government would not stand by and watch desperate politicians unleash terror and violence on innocent citizens to the extent of getting people killed.”
Goje’s petition on the 5th November pogrom was about the first open action that showed clearly the feud between him and Gov. Yahaya.
Clear Sign Gov Yahaya Has Party Leadership on His Side
Goje was conspicuously absent in all the APC congresses held from the ward to state levels, which observers believe is a clear indication of loss of interest in affairs of the party in the state, as well as sign of feud between the two.
On Thursday, while fielding questions on the feud between Gov. Yahaya and Sen. Goje, Party spokesman, Moses Kyari, said following the early November incident, the party had issued an apology demand to Goje, for “invading” the state with thugs to disrupt the existing peace.
“The party has set up a committee that is going to write him formally about the complaint and we expect to hear from him after which we shall use constitutional means of addressing the matter. Politics is all about persuasion, development.
“The government of Muhammadu Yahaya has brought positive development to the people of Gombe State. Certain individuals feel it is their right to control power, no it is not true. They said you leave the stage when the ovation is loudest so that you can be recorded and remembered tomorrow. But you have played your role and you want to plan another person’s role, this is what we say no, like some people will tell you Gombe no be Edo.”
APC Spokesman in Gombe State Moses Kyari Speaking on Party’s Demand for Apology from Sen. Goje
Early Burst and Resignations
Prior to the current developments, a number of people have resigned from the party leadership positions at various levels arising from the attacks on Goje, among them, Mr. Umar Siniya, the Zonal Youth Leader of Gombe North Senatorial District, Mr. Murtala Maishahada Gombe LG APC Deputy Youth Leader and Mr. Garba Inuwa Akoma Gona, Board Member, Gombe Media Corporation (GMC).
Others were the APC Women Leader of Gombe Central Zone and the Women Leader of Akko Local Government Area, Mrs Rose Danjuma and Hajiya Fatu Kalshingi, respectively, whom are reportedly loyal to Senator Goje.
In September, former deputy to Goje when he was Governor, John Yoriyo alongside 15 other party stalwarts, from Southern Senatorial District announced defection to PDP, following what observers believe to be poor handling of their boss – they claimed they were defecting alongside 30,000 APC members.
In his defection speech, Mr. Yoriyo said, “There was nothing like democracy under APC in Gombe. Nobody knows what is happening, we were ignorant, we are just being ruled.”
A day after the 5th November attack on Goje, his daughter, Hussaina Goje, who was Commissioner for Environment and Member of the State Executive Council tendered her resignation from the Government of Inuwa Yahaya.
According to a video she made on her resignation and circulated widely, she claimed her resignation was based on personal reasons, but observers believe the resignation was connected with the ongoing feud between her father and her boss.
How Long Will the Party Hold?
There are strong rumours in Gombe that in coming weeks, more members of the APC, including some members of the state executive council, who are loyal to Sen. Goje will resign from their positions – the rumours cannot be substantiated.
But, with the 2023 general elections around the comer, an election in which Gov Yahaya is interested in retaining the governorship seat, only time will tell how strong the party can remain with the ongoing feud.
While addressing party faithful in October, shortly after being returned through consensus, state party chairman, Mr. Nitte Amangal, said his leadership will visit all aggrieved party members and ensure reconciliation.
“As of now, we don’t have factions. For those aggrieved, we will go to them to resolve issues to bring our party, APC in order,” Amangal said.
Speaking at the same event, Governor Yahaya said with the smooth conduct of the party elections [by consensus] in the state, the party was ready to retain power in the state.
“Our unity is our strength; we are united and we are courageous. We are not afraid of anybody in Gombe as far as election is concerned and we are ready for them any day, anytime,” he said.
Will the Governor’s assertion stand unshaken amidst the current face-off? only time and unfolding of events leading to 2023 will tell.