Crisis rocks APC as two factions emerge in Gombe

• Police arrest 28 criminal suspects
• Anglican Church ordains five priests, four deacons

INDICATIONS may have emerged that all may not be well with Gombe State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) as a cold war may have ensued between Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje faction of the party and Senator Usman Bayaro Nafada on the other hand.

A political analyst, Muhammad Umar Gombe, said the crisis, which had already polarised the party along loyalty lines, was as a result of the high-handedness of the gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, who went to court to challenge the victory of PDP and Dankwambo in the last governorship election.

He said: “This rivalry many believe has been in existence since the founding of APC where members of the party were not comfortable with the newcomers whom they claimed had come to take their place.”

On Monday, July 6, 2015, the Gombe Secretary of the party, Alhaji Manu Salau Pindiga, announced the suspension of the state Chairman, Mr. Muhammad Magaji Doho and 17 others for anti-party activities, gross misconduct and incompetence.

In another development, about 28 suspects have been arrested by the Gombe State Police Command in connection with various degrees of crimes, including terrorising people, armed robbery, rape and other crimes.

Speaking with journalists while parading the suspects in Gombe yesterday, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Fwaje Attajiri, said that the police command, after embarking on an intelligent lead policing, was able to unfold many criminal hide-outs, and had been able to apprehend some of the suspects at various points within the state capital.

He said that four of the twenty-eight suspects were in connection to killing of one Mohammed Bunu Abubakar, who was attacked at Anguwan Idi quarters in Gombe, saying the attackers inflicted many injuries on the victim which led to his death.

Attajiri, who warned that people should stay away from crimes, sought for public co-operation by remaining vigilant and giving out useful information to the police, adding that the police would not leave any stone unturned in ensuring peace and security in the state.

Meanwhile, the Anglican Diocese of Gombe State has ordained five priests and four deacons to be deployed to work in Anglican churches across the state.

Speaking with newsmen in Gombe shortly after the ordination service, Bishop Henry Ndukuba of the diocese said the occasion was so important to the life of the church.

According to him: “They were following what Jesus Christ himself started. Even though he is God, but he sought for men to work with Him in spreading the gospel of God.

“The aim was to enlarge the gospel, as well as building up people in the faith and word of God, and today, we are celebrating ministry of the ordained in the church. It is not the responsibility of the ministers alone, but the entire followers of Christ.

“But I want you to always remember that you will never follow a crucified Lord without expecting trouble.

“Always be ready with your spiritual war-fare, look unto the lord, never miss your way, he will surely see you through.”

In his sermon, Guest Speaker, Venerable Esau Saidu from Anglican Seminary, Wusasa, Zaria, emphasised on the need for every Christian faithful to bear the yoke of Christ.

“If you carry the yoke, you will do what you were unable to do. Do not allowed side attraction to becloud you”, he said.