…Scores 104,47 Votes Against Dokaji’s 6,443 votes
By Yunusa Isa, Gombe
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Gombe State has officially declared Dr. Bala Bello Tinka as its gubernatorial candidate for the 2027 general election, following a resounding victory in the party’s direct primaries conducted across the 114 wards of the state.
The Chairman of the ADC Primary Election Committee, Professor David Agbu, announced the results in Gombe on Saturday, confirming that Dr. Tinka polled 104,407 votes to defeat his sole opponent, Adamu Muhammad Dokaji, who secured 6,443 votes.
“The committee, having satisfied itself with the requirements of the ADC constitution and the party’s electoral guidelines, hereby declares Dr. Bala Bello Tinka the winner and duly returns him as the ADC governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Gombe State,” Professor Agbu stated during the official declaration.
Reflecting on the conduct of the exercise, which spanned from 21st – 23rd May, Professor Agbu praised the peaceful atmosphere across the state. “The committee has fully monitored the accreditation and voting processes, and we are satisfied that the primary elections were conducted peacefully. The elections were free, fair, and credible,” he said.
He further extended an invitation to any party members dissatisfied with the process to utilize the appropriate channels. “We task any aggrieved member who is not satisfied with the results announced to proceed to the party’s appeal committee to formally challenge the outcome,” he added.
A breakdown of the votes shows Dr. Tinka’s dominance across the 11 local government areas: In Akko LGA, Tinka scored 13,785 votes against Dokaji’s 117.
In Balanga LGA, Tinka polled 9,530 votes to Dokaji’s 729. In Dukku LGA, Tinka secured 6,900 votes while Dokaji polled 71.
In Billiri LGA, Tinka received 8,569 votes against 601 for Dokaji. In Kaltungo LGA, Tinka recorded 4,534 votes compared to 4,059 for Dokaji.
In Kwami LGA, Tinka polled 10,444 votes to Dokaji’s 64, while in Shongom Tinka raked 6,158 votes against 406 for Dokaji.
In Funakaye LGA, Tinka received 8,480 votes while Dokaji polled 99. In Nafada LGA, Tinka secured 5,488 votes against 152 for Dokaji.
In Gombe LGA, Tinka polled 19,242 votes to Dokaji’s 51 whi in Yamaltu-Deba LGA, Tinka garnered 10,943 votes against 94 for Dokaji.
Following the gubernatorial result, the committee also announced the party’s candidates for other elective positions. Mustapha Aliyu emerged as the candidate for Gombe North Senatorial District, Abdullahi Idris Umar for Gombe Central, and Mela Audu Nunge for Gombe South.
A series of candidates were also confirmed for the House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly. Among those elected for federal legislative seats are Hon. Dr. Bashir Abdullahi Gaddafi (Akko), Hon. Usman Sa’ad Aliyu (Yamaltu-Deba), Hon. Ali Babayo Maigoro (Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye), Hon. Abdullahi Elrashid (Dukku/Nafada), Hon. Kabir Abubakar (Kaltungo/Shongom), and Hon. Sadik Abubakar Adamu (Balanga/Billiri).
With the primaries now concluded, the political landscape in Gombe is sharpening in anticipation of the 2027 general election.
Dr. Tinka is poised to face a competitive field, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dr. Jamil Isiyaku Gwamna, and the eventual nominee from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).