Both politicians were named among the patrons and members of the newly constituted councils, which have a combined membership of 666. However, neither attended the inauguration ceremony held at the International Conference Centre in Gombe.
The party’s membership lists placed Dankwambo at number seven on the Campaign Council and number six on the Advisory Council. Goje was listed at number six and number five on the respective councils.
Their absence attracted attention because of their political influence in the state. Dankwambo, who represents Gombe North Senatorial District in the Senate and remains a prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) figure, reportedly said he was unaware that his name had been included when contacted by Zoyols News. Goje, who represents Gombe Central Senatorial District, was also not present at the event.
Addressing party members at the inauguration, Governor Yahaya called for unity, reconciliation and stronger grassroots mobilisation, insisting that the APC must put its internal differences aside to secure victory in the 2027 elections.
He urged members who might feel aggrieved to embrace dialogue, patience and mutual understanding, stressing that the party’s success would depend on their ability to work together towards a common goal.
Yahaya expressed confidence that the APC would win at every level, including the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and State House of Assembly elections. He specifically called on members to work towards securing victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other party candidates.
“Insha Allah, we shall work hard to ensure that we deliver APC in Gombe State. Our objective is to see APC at the top in the presidential election, APC at the top in the National Assembly elections, APC at the top in the governorship election and APC at the top in the State House of Assembly elections,” he said.
The governor also urged party supporters to recognise the federal government’s contributions to Gombe State and use them as part of their engagement with voters.
He pointed to infrastructure, agriculture and healthcare projects supported by the Tinubu administration, including the Renewed Hope Superhighway project from Akwanga, particularly the Gombe-Biu section, where construction has commenced.
Other projects he highlighted included the Agro-Livestock Development Zone, the Federal Medical Centre in Kumo and other healthcare facilities.
While acknowledging the APC’s progress across the state and local government areas, Yahaya warned against becoming complacent. He said the party must not take its grassroots support for granted and encouraged members to maintain regular contact with communities, mobilise voters and communicate the administration’s achievements.
“Although we are strong and enjoy grassroots support, we must continue to work tirelessly. Asiwaju’s victory is the victory of Jamilu Gwamna and all other APC candidates at every level,” he stated.
Earlier, the Gombe State APC Chairman, Muhammad Dantata Ndus, charged members to take responsibility for mobilising voters and delivering their respective polling units. He urged them to focus their campaigns on verifiable government achievements and issues that matter to the people.
Ndus said the APC had a record of achievements under Yahaya’s leadership, particularly in infrastructure, road construction, healthcare and industrial development.
He explained that the councils were designed to bring together youths, women, political leaders, grassroots mobilisers and technocrats from different wards and polling units across the state.
Describing the inauguration as more than a formal political gathering, the chairman said the councils would serve as the party’s machinery for coordinating its activities and securing victory in 2027.
The APC governorship candidate in Gombe State, Alhaji Dr Jamil Isyaku Gwamna, also pledged to put the interests of the state and its people ahead of personal considerations if elected.
He promised to govern with humility and remain accountable to the commitments he made to the electorate.
“If we win the election, I promise that I will remain humble and be a man of my word. It is a covenant between me and the people of Gombe State,” Gwamna said.
He further stressed that the party’s chances of winning would depend heavily on effective grassroots mobilisation, urging members to reach voters directly and secure support at individual polling units.
Gwamna also called on APC supporters to work towards delivering one million votes for President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in Gombe State. He argued that a strong electoral mandate would improve the state’s position in seeking additional support from the Federal Government.
Several party leaders and elected officials delivered goodwill messages at the ceremony. They included the Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Muhammad Luggerewo, who spoke on behalf of the legislature; the Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, representing members of the National Assembly; and Senator Usman Bayero Nafada, who addressed the gathering on behalf of the state’s party patrons.
The speakers expressed confidence in the APC’s chances in the 2027 elections, pointing to the performance of the party’s administrations at the federal, state and local government levels. They also urged members to make the necessary sacrifices, strengthen their mobilisation efforts and remain united.
Speaking for the party elders, Alhaji Baba Dukul thanked Yahaya and the APC leadership for appointing them to serve on the Advisory and Campaign Councils. He assured the party that the elders would contribute their experience, influence and commitment to the responsibilities assigned to them.
Hundreds of members of the State Advisory Council, Campaign Council, Women’s Campaign Council, party loyalists and supporters attended the inauguration.
The event formally set the councils in motion, with the responsibility of coordinating the APC’s political activities, promoting reconciliation and strengthening grassroots mobilisation across Gombe State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
