By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
Less than two weeks before the commencement of campaigns for the 2027 general elections, disagreement has emerged among leaders of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) in Gombe State over the strength and preparedness of the party’s grassroots structure.
The disagreement involving the Northeast Zonal Coordinator of the Coalition Alliance Network for the Peter Obi/Kwankwaso Movement, Alhaji Yahaya Mohammed Samaila; the party’s governorship hopeful in Gombe State, Dr. Babayo Ardo; and the National President of the Coalition Alliance Network, Mallam Zakari Garba Bura, has sparked debate over the party’s readiness for the upcoming elections.
While Samaila alleged that the NDC lacks a visible and effective political structure in the state, Ardo and Bura disagreed, insisting that the party has established functional structures across Gombe’s 11 local government areas.
Speaking in Gombe, Samaila described the party’s presence in the state as weak compared with other states in the Northeast, citing the absence of campaign materials and visible organisational activities.
“We don’t have structures compared to other states in the Northeast. We don’t have a single vehicle branded with the NDC logo in Gombe for campaigns. There are no posters of governorship, House of Assembly or senatorial candidates across the state,” he said.
Although he described Ardo as “a very good man,” Samaila expressed concern over what he considered limited visibility and accessibility of the governorship hopeful among party supporters.
He said efforts were ongoing to mobilise support groups and associations to strengthen the party’s grassroots presence ahead of the campaign season.
“If we receive support from other groups and associations, within two weeks we can build a formidable structure in Gombe State. But it requires funding and sponsorship,” he said.
Samaila also disclosed that he was unaware of any campaign committee for Ardo and had not seen evidence of a fully organised campaign team.
However, reacting during an online interview from Abuja, Bura dismissed the concerns, insisting that the coalition has a strong nationwide network.
According to him, the coalition has representatives across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas and more than 8,000 political wards.
“We have representatives in all the wards, and our plan is to deploy 10 members to every polling unit. We have between 200,000 and 400,000 members in our support groups,” he said.
Speaking specifically on Gombe State, Bura said the coalition had established structures across all 11 local government areas and 114 wards.
“Go to Hinna, Akko, Dukku and Nafada, and you will see our network of elders, women and youths. We have a strong structure in Gombe,” he stated.
He, however, clarified that the coalition had not officially announced its governorship candidate, while expressing optimism that Ardo would emerge as the party’s flag bearer.
Bura said the coalition plans to build on the support recorded by Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in the Northeast during the last general election.
Also reacting, Ardo dismissed claims that the NDC lacks grassroots support, describing the party as a young but fast-growing political platform.
“NDC is only about six months old, having been registered in February 2026, but within that short period we have made tremendous progress,” he said.
“In Gombe State, we have established unit committees, ward executives, local government executives and a state executive. Anybody who says NDC has no structure is simply mistaken.”
The governorship hopeful said the party would embark on a statewide tour of the 11 local government areas to engage residents and prepare for campaigns in line with the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said his administration, if elected, would prioritise security through community participation and stronger collaboration with security agencies, economic development driven by agriculture, commerce and investment, improved education standards and enhanced healthcare delivery.
Ardo stressed that his campaign would focus on issues rather than personalities.
“Our campaign will be issue-based. We want to discuss where Gombe should be in the next 10 to 50 years, not engage in personal attacks,” he said.
Addressing the disagreement among party stakeholders, Ardo called for unity and collaboration.
“I don’t know the zonal coordinator personally, but I can assure him that NDC is solid in Gombe State. We should work together, focus on issues and build synergy instead of exchanging personal attacks,” he added.
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