The peaceful and united Gombe we want

Sir: Unlike other states in Nigeria that are facing challenges in one way or the other, Gombe, a state which has been well known in producing giant strides in uplifting the Nigerian flag in different sectors is redefining the flag as the state is currently on the battle of disrupting the strong horses that every sane society hankers to behold, which is peace and unity, in the state. 

For quite long, it has been giving me sleepless nights seeing how the state stakeholders fight against each other. There are these questions that have been lingering in me: Are they not aware of the J.K Rawling’s quote where he says, ‘‘We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we’re divided?’’ Or they have forgotten the Ethiopian proverb that says “When spiders unite, they can tie down a lion”? 

The most saddening about all the saddening scenarios, is that they’re in existence within the political party that is running the government of the state. Whereas, it’s not a fight between the dominant political parties: APC or PDP, but a fight within the running party. 

Currently, apart from the long-fight between the Akko Local Government’s representative, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo and Senator Danjuma Goje, another one; the most saddening one, between the Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, and Senator Danjuma Goje has come to existence and has started breaking the peaceful coexistence of the car that accelerates the state.

Within the context of the riot that happened in October 2021 between the state governor and Goje, some saddening scenarios did happen that should not be ignored: five emerging youths lost their lives due to that; political thugs known as “Yan Kalare” burnt a car and some members of the party resigned their seats including the Commissioner of Environment and Forest Resources, Husseina Danjuma Goje, a daughter to the senator. Goje, who said it, was for personal reasons; but the dispute between her father and the governor might be said to be the factor that perpetuates the resignation.

If the state wants to rescue herself from the shackles of poverty and other impediments, there must be peace and unity in the state. Lack of peace and unity is the main exigency that plays a vital role in disrupting a nation thereby leading it to deadly inevitable retrogressions. Therefore, we need nothing in Gombe, but peace and unity of the state and we’re calling the attention of the president and the other national executives to these unwelcoming scenarios in Gombe.

Salim Yakubu Akko wrote from Gombe State.