A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State, Sadiq Bappah Garkuwa , has condemned the violence that disrupted the arrival of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, in Gombe, warning that political competition must not be turned into a do-or-die affair.
Ahmed made the remarks during a telephone interview with S24 Television, where he reacted to Wednesday’s reported attacks on Pantami’s convoy and supporters during a reception organised by the PDP in the state capital.
He described the development as unfortunate and expressed concern over the use of violence in political activities, insisting that political differences should be resolved through democratic engagement rather than intimidation and confrontation.
However, Ahmed disputed claims linking APC members to the incident, maintaining that no member of the ruling party was involved in the attack. He further alleged that the incident was self-engineered and described it as a conspiracy, although he did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegation.
His position comes amid growing political tension in Gombe State following reports that suspected political thugs blocked Jekadafari Road, near the family residence of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, with burning tyres in an apparent attempt to prevent Pantami from entering the state capital.
The incident reportedly caused panic among residents, motorists and traders, while several vehicles in the PDP candidate’s convoy were attacked and their windscreens smashed.
Beyond the incident at Jekadafari, concerns have also been raised over reports of attacks and disturbances in other parts of Gombe, particularly Tudun Wada and Layin Shamaki. If established, such developments represent a serious threat to public safety and the peaceful coexistence of residents.
Political Crowds Must Not Become Instruments of Intimidation
The growing practice of mobilising large crowds during political activities raises important questions about the conduct of political actors and the safety of ordinary citizens.
There are concerns and allegations that some crowds may have been mobilised from outside their immediate communities to create an atmosphere of intimidation and demonstrate political strength. Such allegations require proper investigation, as the presence of large crowds does not necessarily represent genuine popular support.
No political party or candidate should be allowed to turn public roads, residential neighbourhoods and commercial centres into battlegrounds for political supremacy.
Gombe belongs to all its residents, irrespective of their political affiliations. Supporters of the APC, PDP, ADC and other political parties have equal rights to participate in political activities, organise rallies, receive their candidates and express their opinions without fear of harassment or violence.
The alleged attacks on vehicles, obstruction of roads and disturbances in residential areas must not be treated as ordinary political rivalry. They are issues that require serious attention from security agencies and political leaders.
It is particularly disturbing when ordinary residents, traders, motorists and young people become victims of political confrontations they neither initiated nor benefit from.
Police Investigation and Responsibility of Political Leaders
Meanwhile, the Gombe State Police Command has confirmed the attack on Pantami’s convoy and disclosed that investigations were ongoing to identify those responsible.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Buhari Abdullahi, said no arrests had been made at the time of his statement, adding that security personnel had been deployed to maintain order.
The police also appealed to members of the public with credible information to assist the investigation and assured that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted.
The responsibility for maintaining peace, however, does not rest with security agencies alone. Political parties, candidates, campaign organisations and influential supporters must demonstrate restraint and discourage their followers from engaging in violence.
Ahmed’s condemnation is therefore an important position to put on record, particularly coming from a member of the ruling APC. However, his allegation that the incident was self-engineered also deserves scrutiny and should be supported by evidence rather than political speculation.
If the APC maintains that its members were not responsible, the appropriate response is to support an independent investigation and cooperate with security agencies to establish the facts.
Similarly, the PDP and its supporters must ensure that their political activities remain peaceful and that no individual takes the law into their own hands in response to the reported attacks.
As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 governorship election, Gombe cannot afford to sacrifice its peace and security on the altar of political ambition.
No governorship ambition is worth the destruction of property, the intimidation of voters or the loss of innocent lives.
Ultimately, the people of Gombe must be allowed to decide who governs them through the ballot box, not through threats, violence, hired crowds or political intimidation.
