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A fresh wave of political uncertainty has swept through Gombe State as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) finds itself entangled in a deepening internal crisis, with two rival factions presenting different candidates for the 2027 governorship election.
The development has exposed growing cracks within the opposition party and raised concerns about its readiness for the next electoral cycle.
One faction of the PDP, led by Tanimu Turaki, officially presented Mohammed Yayari as its governorship candidate. Yayari was handed his Certificate of Return during a ceremony held on Wednesday alongside other party candidates from various states.
During the event, party leaders stressed the importance of loyalty and warned aspirants against abandoning the party after securing nominations.
PDP chieftain, Ibrahim Turaki, delivered a strong message, declaring, “Nobody will take our mandate to another political party and get away with it.” He further disclosed that future candidates would be required to sign binding agreements before their names are forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Also speaking at the event, the party’s National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Shan, expressed confidence in the faction’s preparations ahead of future elections.
According to Shan, “We are ready to go into the elections prepared with our candidates.”
However, in a dramatic twist, another faction of the PDP held a separate National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja and announced former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, as its governorship candidate for Gombe State.
The rival group, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, also distributed Certificates of Return to candidates it claimed had been duly recognized and published by INEC.
Pantami’s emergence has further intensified the leadership dispute within the party, with both factions now laying claim to the authentic governorship ticket for Gombe State.
Political observers believe the development underscores the growing internal divisions facing the PDP, not only in Gombe but across the country. Analysts warn that unresolved factional disputes could weaken the party’s electoral strength and affect its chances in the 2027 general elections.
As both camps continue to assert legitimacy, attention is now focused on whether party leaders can broker peace and restore unity before the political contest gathers momentum.
For many observers, the unfolding situation in Gombe may serve as a crucial test of the PDP’s ability to manage internal disagreements and present a united front ahead of a highly anticipated election season.
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