Some unidentified youths in Gombe State have destroyed 2027 presidential campaign posters of Bauchi state Governor, Bala Mohammed, under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
WikkiTimes monitored a viral video on Facebook, where youth removed the posters placed around the rainbow roundabout at Tumfure area of the state capital.
The youths, while burning down the posters, expressed their support for Atiku Abubakar, the PDP 2023 presidential candidate and Nigeria’s former vice president.
They further accused Governor Mohammed in the video of obtaining a ‘contract’ to contest against Atiku. It was not clear what they meant by the contract.
“Gombe belongs to Atiku”, a voice mentioned repeatedly in the clip in Hausa language.
Atiku, Kaura Relationship Sour
Political parties and stakeholders are actively reshaping alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections. Relationships between Atiku and Mohammed have soured recently, although the duo has not yet exchanged words directly.
However, political analysts believe the two northeastern politicians are actively strategizing for the 2027 presidential contest
While Mohammed through the PDP Governors Forum affirmed his position to remain in his party, Atiku has been rumoured to be part of the ongoing discussion that may lead to forming a formidable coalition to challenge President Tinubu.
Sons Exchanged Words
Recall that recently Shamsuddeen Bala Mohammed, eldest son of Governor Mohammed accused Atiku Abubakar of working against his father’s reelection in 2023.
The governor’s son added that it is now time to settle the scores, hence his father would not support Atiku in 2027.
“He didn’t work for us in the 2023 election; he worked for Air Marshal (the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Abubakar Sadique). He deployed elites in Bauchi to fight us, and we narrowly won the election,” Shamsuddeen posted earlier on X.
“Now he is taking us for granted, he doesn’t value us as humans, he is showing us that we are too small to call for reconciliation,” he added.
Reacting, Atiku’s son, Mohammed, in a statement, said Bala Mohammed did not support his father in the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections.
He added that at no point in Atiku’s political career had Bala shown him any support.
“Let it be known to Shamsu that Atiku never dissipated an ounce of energy towards his father’s political travails.
“This is simply because Atiku’s politics transcends such shenanigans, and he has consistently remained above the bar.
“Moreover, whatever conflict Bala Muhammed may have had with politicians in Bauchi, in the lead up to the 2023 elections, had nothing to do with Atiku Abubakar. It was purely a local affair,” the statement partly read.
It’s Freedom of Expression – Gombe PDP chair
Meanwhile, speaking on the removal of posters, Gombe PDP Chairman, Amnom Kwaskebe Kalaye, said the activities of the youths were simply freedom of expression, and it is normal in that context.
He said, “Expression of mind or opinion of the people does not mean that the candidate is the choice of the state or people. It is normal in politics to experience this kind of thing. These are expressions of opinion.
When asked about possible incitement of public disturbance through such acts, he responded, “The police are at hand to handle such a situation, and other security agencies. Gombe state is not a PDP state, but they have the responsibility of maintaining law and order.
