The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that there is no vacancy in the Gombe Government House next year. But, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is seriously pushing for power shift. Correspondent VINCENT OHONBAMU writes on the struggle for power in the Northwest state.The stage is set for an epic electoral battle in Gombe State. Ahead of next years governorship poll, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are flexing muscles. To the PDP governor, Alhaji Ibrahim HassanDank-wambo, there is no vacancy in the Government House next year. But, in the view of the APC leaders, the state is ripe for power shift.In the ruling party, there are few governorship aspirants warming up for the primaries. But, a source said that the governor will be endorsed by stakeholders for a second term. We are prepared for the challenges of primaries and we will ensure that there is no crisis after the primaries, said the source, who is a PDP chieftain.Next year, the governor will complete his first term. There is no face-off between him and the party. Monarchs, community leaders and interest groups have applauded him for his achievements. Dankwambo, they believe, has stimulated economic growth in the Northeast state and restored public confidence in government.But, the opposition does not share this view. The APC has criticised the administration for implementing policies that do not have any bearing on the life of the people. Senator Danjuma Goje, who is the leader of the opposition, has vowed to displace Dankwambo and install an APC governor. But, the main task now is the choice of the flag bearer.APC governorship aspirants include Alhaji Umar Kwiranga, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, Alhaji Murtala Aliyu and Hon. Usman Bayero Nafada. A party source said party leaders are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the best man is chosen for the job. All the aspirants are good and sellable, but we at the party level are seriously weighing our options to ensure that the best of them emerge because we dont want to leave anything to chance, he said. Another source said that Nafada appears to be the towering figure, adding that the odds may favour him. He is most likely to be considered because the majority believes he would make a good governorship candidate. Above all, he has the wherewithal to boost the chances of the party at the general elections. he stressed.The former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives is very popular at home. He is the former Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly. He is unassuming and down-to-earth. The former teacher has strong connections with the grassroots because of his large-heartedness and concern for the wellbeing of the ordinary people. A party chieftain described him as the answer in 2015. According to him, the former Deputy Speaker has experience and good records.Also, Nafada believes that the APC has to fulfill its promise to give a sense of belonging to defectors. While in the PDP, his senatorial ambition in the North District was shut down. Also, at the governorship primaries, he was edged out. A chieftain said: Nafada can be trusted to consolidate on the popularity and achievement of the party leader, Senator Goje, considering that he is a grassroots politician. Most importantly, he could be a better manager of people, judging by his wealth of experience in human management and his concern for others.However, other aspirants are not relenting in their efforts to get the ticket. The chairman of AshakaCem Plc, Alhaji Umar Kwairanga, is making serious efforts. According to sources, this green horn is loved by many people because of his open-heartedness and willingness to assist the poor. He is honest and always carries people along in all his undertakings. His employees at AshakaCem testify to his managerial ability and sense of purpose.But, his undoing is that he is new in politics. His naivety may cost the party its ambition and the chapter does not want to take chances. others have said that he is close to many PDP leaders. Thus, they perceive him as a PDP agent with a mandate to get into the mainstream of the party and use his influence to destabilise its agenda.The President of the Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Alhaji Murtala Aliyu, is a serious contender. He is showing interest in the job 11 years after he failed at the governorship primaries. Many have described him as a true democrat. But, like Kwairanga, he is a green, horn. The former Minister of State for Power, who lost the PDP ticket for the 2003 governorship election to Goje, went into oblivion, shortly after his defeat. Many people said that he was frustrated and scared by Goje. That he is back in the same boat with Goje only goes to confirm the saying that there is no permanent foe in politics, but permanent interest.Besides, Murtalas indigeneship of Gombe State and the sincerity of his intention have been doubted by some inddigenes. Their grouse is that, despite his affluence and influence, he does not have any landed property or investment in Gombe State.Moreover, since he declared his interest he has not been visible. Thus, party followers do not take him seriously.But, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya is seen as a serious contender. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he is a shrewd businessman and an investor. In 2011, he contested the PDP primaries. But, he was defeated by Dankwambo.It is believed that his closeness to Goje, under whose administration he served as the Commissioner of Finance for eight years, is an added advantage.Apart from that, his late father contributed to Gojes campaigns, especially in 2003. Sources said that there was an agreement between the old man and Goje that Inuwa would succeed him in 2011. But, that agreement, if it ever existed, was breached when the ticket for the 2011 race was given to Dank-wambo.When he could not make it in the PDP, he decamped to the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). Later, Goje pleaded with him to return to the fold.Yayaya is confident that he will get the ticket. But, his associates fear that history may repeat itself.Those jostling for APC ticket are from Gombe North Senatorial District. Hence, the issue of zoning does not arise.However, some of the aspirants have Plan B. Bayero and Inuwa are prepared to accept senatorial ticket, if they fail at the primaries, a source said.If the PDP does not put its house in order, if may become the opposition party next year.]]>
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