Why APC has not named Gombe deputy gov candidate — Party chair
September 7, 2026 8:52 pm
The All Progressives Congress in Gombe State on Monday revealed why it’s yet to name a running mate to its 2027 governorship candidate, Dr Jamilu Gwamna.
The delay, the party said, is due to ongoing wider consultation for an appropriate candidate.
According to the state party Chairman, Mohammed Ndus, unlike the governorship primary, which produced Gwamna as the party’s candidate, the selection of a running mate required broader consultations with stakeholders to ensure that the eventual candidate could contribute meaningfully to the administration.
“The other one you’re talking about is a selection, which you need wider consultations so that you onboard everybody that is going to participate in the affairs of governance,” Ndus said in an interview with our correspondent.
He dismissed speculation that the party was already late in selecting the candidate, saying the All Progressives Congress was working within the timetable set for the electoral process.
“Our list is in our computer. Very soon, the press will be invited when we unveil and spread them in. We are working within the timeframe. We are not late,” he assured.
Ndus also ruled out the possibility that the running mate would automatically come from the same area as Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, stressing that the party was considering competence and capacity.
He added, “I can confidently tell you that we are not picking from where the governor comes from. The person can emerge from anywhere.”
The chairman’s comments come amid growing political interest in the identity of Gwamna’s running mate as parties intensify preparations for the 2027 governorship election.
Reconciliation after primaries
On reports of discontent within the APC following its primary elections, Ndus said the party was addressing the grievances through an ongoing reconciliation process.
He said disagreements were expected in political contests because several aspirants could have ambitions to lead, but only one person would eventually emerge.
“In every contest, no matter how perfect it is, one person must emerge, and there must be discontentment because somebody has, maybe for more than 10 years, wanted to lead,” he said.
Ndus said the reconciliation committee, headed by Deputy Governor Manassah Jatau, had been divided into subcommittees to enable its members to reach out to aspirants and other stakeholders.
“The reconciliation is taking place. I can tell you that they have done well because some people have accepted the will of God as not getting tickets to participate,” he said.
The committee was established to address grievances arising from recent party activities and strengthen the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to Ndus, some unsuccessful aspirants had already begun supporting those who emerged from the primaries.
He said the party had also engaged aspirants who lost out in the primaries, assuring them that their experience and expertise could still be utilised if the APC formed the next government.
APC to engage grassroots
Ndus said the party would also intensify engagements with traditional rulers, market women, businessmen and other groups as part of its preparations for the 2027 elections.
He said the APC campaign would focus not only on securing votes, but also on making citizens understand their role in governance.
“Our campaign this time around is not going to be just to win and garner votes. But it is for the people to understand that they are part of governance. They are not just electorates,” he said.
According to him, the party also intends to use its campaign to promote the protection and maintenance of government infrastructure.
He said citizens had a responsibility to protect public facilities because they were funded with taxpayers’ money.
He criticised the destruction of public infrastructure during periods of crisis, saying citizens should instead hold leaders accountable through democratic participation.
Gombe by-election
On the forthcoming Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency bye-election, Ndus said the APC had completed its primary process and produced a candidate for the election.
He said the candidate, whom he identified as the Commissioner for Works, had secured the party’s ticket and completed his documentation.
“We want to believe that we will win at the main election come the 19th of September,” he said.
He said the APC would continue engaging its members and stakeholders until the grievances arising from the primaries were resolved.
“Our reconciliation committee is working, and internally amongst us we requested that unity of purpose is contained. So, we’re doing well in that aspect,” Ndus said.
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