The Gombe State Coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Council, Jamilu Gwamna, has advanced reasons why the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, won the state defeated the All Progressives Congress flag bearer and President-Elect, Bola Tinubu, in the state in Saturday’s presidential election.
Atiku polled 319,123 votes to defeat Tinubu who scored 146,977 in Gombe State.
Speaking in an interview with journalists on Thursday, Gwamna said the personality of Abubakar as a son of the North-East was what earned him victory in Gombe State and not preference of the PDP over the ruling APC.
According to him, the performance of the PDP in the presidential election in the state would not be replicated in the governorship election, stressing that the contexts vary.
He said, “People of Gombe didn’t vote for the PDP because they wanted the PDP as a party, rather they voted for Atiku Abubakar as a person who comes from the North-East. Apart from that, there were people who believed in Bola Tinubu. We got nearly 30 per cent of the votes; yes, the PDP had like 58 per cent of the votes. It’s not about the PDP but personality. We are looking for a candidate that will develop the state.”
While lauding Tinubu for his victory, the Gombe campaigner said the state’s votes contributed to his emergence.
He said, “Their votes have enabled him (Tinubu), to become our next president as the President-elect remarked in his acceptance speech. And also when he accepted the Certificate of Return, he mentioned that he respected every Nigerian, those that voted for him and those who didn’t, promising to work with all Nigerians regardless of party affiliation. This to me is the hallmark of statesmanship.
“I believe Nigeria has found itself in yet another milestone especially transition between one democratic dispensation to another.”
Gwamna, while calling on the opposition to team up with Tinubu, noted that there was no perfect system.
“I think with this trend democracy has come to stay in Nigeria and we are proud and thankful to Allah for making this possible and for the efforts of the democrats. This election has shown the power of the youth in Nigeria. It has demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that the youth have now realised the role they must play in terms of nation building.
“Elections all over the world are never perfect, I urge all those who feel bitter about the outcome of the results should please embrace peace for the sake of our country because without peace there will be no Nigeria. We have to respect each choice, party affiliation,” he said.
He urged residents to return Governor Muhammadu Yahaya to office to complete his developmental strides.
“We will like to appeal to the people of Gombe State that the next election that is coming up, I will like to solicit that regardless of party affiliation, come out en masse to vote for Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the candidate of the APC in Gombe, to ensure we have continuity in Gombe State. We believe our candidate gives the best hope,” he said.
