By Saeed Ahmad Bappah, Gombe
Barrister Abdullahi Jalo Castic, Chairman of the North Eastern Cooperatives Stakeholders Forum, has issued a public appeal for the release of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, urging authorities to grant him bail in the spirit of “justice and fairness” so he may reunite with his family.
Speaking with journalists in Gombe, the elder statesman emphasized that the rule of law must remain paramount, asserting that allowing for due process is essential to ensuring that justice is not only done but seen to be done.
Turning his focus to the shifting political landscape, Jalo argued that the internal strife currently paralyzing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State has inadvertently strengthened the position of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He pointed to the existence of two factional governorship candidates within the PDP as a critical vulnerability, which he believes clears a path for the APC to consolidate its support.
In this context, he endorsed Dr. Jamilu Isiyaku Gwamna as the superior candidate, citing his established “leadership record and achievements in various positions” as the primary reason he is the best choice for the state’s future.
Beyond party dynamics, Jalo issued a clarion call for reconciliation, urging aggrieved APC members to “set aside their differences” to ensure the party’s success in the upcoming general elections.
His commitment to internal party cohesion was mirrored by his praise for Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s recent decision to nominate the APC State Publicity Secretary for a commissionership, a move he described as a positive step for the party’s local administration.
He further encouraged Gombe residents to remain steadfast in their support for APC-led governments, framing it as the most effective route to delivering “democratic dividends to the people.”
Addressing the escalation of banditry and kidnapping, the APC chieftain urged both the Federal and State governments to redouble efforts in combating the social vices.
He warned that the ongoing insecurity is “creating more poverty in the country especially the North,” and cautioned that “if left unchecked, the instability will continue to erode the socioeconomic fabric of Nigeria at large”.