IN the continuing efforts to ensure unity of purpose and continuity of good governance in Gombe State, eminent stakeholders from the state yesterday received clarifications on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s recent charge to Governor Inuwa Yahaya and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Jamil Isyaku Gwamna.

Governor Yahaya, who is the chairman of North East Governors’ Forum, had met with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa two weeks ago, alongside the APC gubernatorial flagbearer, Gwamna, where the President harped on the need for synergy and unity among the stakeholders in the state.

Speaking while receiving the prominent stakeholders from the state in Abuja residence, the governorship hopeful, Gwamna, explained that all hands must be on the deck to preserve the prevailing unity, peace and good governance in the state.

He disclosed that the President was emphatic that only a culture of political peace and understanding would lead to sustainable development, assuring, “Together, we will ensure that development is not only continued, but expanded to reach every community, every household, and every citizen.”

Earlier, the chairman of the high-level “Gombe State Stakeholders’ Engagement,” Dr Aliyu Modibbo Umar, who is also the Special Adviser on General Duties to the Vice President, announced the endorsement of Dr Gwamna as the consensus choice of all progressive Gombe State citizens.

The stakeholders’ engagement brought together a cross-section of influential Gombe citizens, including four former ministers, four retired Major Generals, one retired Air Vice Marshal, several retired Permanent Secretaries, three former ambassadors, accomplished professors, administrators, captains of industry, and young professionals.

Dr Umar, disclosed that the stakeholders deliberated on the political future of Gombe State, particularly preparations for the 2027 general election, adding that the forum “unanimously adopted a number of strategic resolutions aimed at strengthening political cohesion, enhancing grassroots mobilisation, and consolidating support for the APC.”

Further, he stated that a high-powered Reconciliation and Stakeholders’ Engagement Committee was constituted to engage former aspirants and their supporters, promote reconciliation, strengthen party unity, and foster greater cohesion ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

“Notable among the resolutions was the unanimous endorsement of Dr Jamil Isyaku Gwamna for the governor of Gombe State in 2027, based on popular confidence in his leadership capacity, vision, and commitment to advancing the peace, prosperity, and sustainable development of Gombe State,” he added.

While noting that the meeting also reaffirmed the Gombe State Stakeholders’ Engagement platform as a voluntary consultative body established to complement the efforts of the APC, the Government of Gombe State, elected officials, and other political actors, Umar explained however, that the platform would not operate as a parallel political structure.

“It would rather continue to serve as a vehicle for consultation, consensus-building, and strategic support. To ensure effective coordination of its activities, stakeholders approved the establishment of Political and Technical Directorates to provide leadership in stakeholder engagement, policy development, research, political mobilisation, and strategic communication.

“The forum further resolved to intensify grassroots mobilisation across all Local Government Areas, Wards, and Polling Units, encourage voter registration and civic participation, sustain engagement with the electorate, and promote issue-based politics anchored on competence, integrity, inclusiveness, and evidence-based planning,” he remarked.

According to Umar, the stakeholders expressed confidence that the resolutions reached at the meeting would further consolidate support for the APC and strengthen collective efforts towards ensuring continued peace, stability, and development in Gombe State.

In a thank-you speech, Dr Gwamna commended the attendees, saying: “Your endorsement strengthens our resolve to remain focused, disciplined, and people-oriented in our mission.”