The Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on Wednesday convened a State Security Council meeting ahead of the political party primaries scheduled to hold across the state.
The meeting, held at the Government House in Gombe, was attended by heads of security agencies and other critical stakeholders to review the security situation and strategise on measures to ensure peaceful, violence-free and hitch-free primary elections.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya charged security agencies to strengthen coordinated operations to prevent violence, intimidation and disruption of the democratic process.
He stressed that the peace and stability currently enjoyed in the state must be protected at all costs.
The governor also urged political actors, party supporters and residents to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly throughout the electioneering process.
According to him, elections should not be treated as a “do-or-die affair” but as a democratic process guided by the rule of law, tolerance and mutual respect.
Yahaya reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining peace, security and political stability in the state, assuring residents that the government would continue to work closely with security agencies before, during and after the primaries.
In a statewide broadcast delivered later on Wednesday, the governor said preparations for the 2027 general elections had commenced in line with the Electoral Act 2026, which requires political parties to nominate candidates through either direct primaries or consensus arrangements.
He noted that political parties across the country would this month select candidates for various elective positions ahead of the 2027 polls in accordance with guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The governor said his administration remained committed to ensuring a level-playing field for all political parties and aspirants.
He disclosed that the ruling All Progressives Congress had initially explored the consensus option with support from the party’s elders and state executive committee, adding that many aspirants accepted the arrangement.
However, he said full consensus could not be achieved due to disagreements among some aspirants, making direct primaries necessary in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“In the absence of unanimous acceptance of the consensus option, we must proceed with direct primaries. This is democracy at work,” the governor said.
Yahaya warned politicians and groups planning to exploit the primaries to cause unrest to desist, stressing that his administration would maintain zero tolerance for violence, lawlessness and political intimidation.
“Any individual or group, no matter how highly placed, who is implicated in any breakdown of law and order before, during and after the primary elections will face severe legal consequences,” he warned.
The governor said Gombe had maintained relative peace and stability since its creation in 1996 despite security challenges affecting parts of the North-East region, adding that his administration would continue to safeguard that legacy.
He called on political parties, aspirants and residents to place the interest of the state above personal ambitions and work collectively to ensure peaceful primaries and general elections.
