The All Progressives Congress Gombe State Campaign Council said on Monday that the opposition is making “smear efforts” to tarnish the image of the incumbent governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, and his associates in order to woo voters.
Ismaila Misilli, the APC campaign council’s director of media and publicity, claims that the opposition intends to take advantage of the extension in order to gain quick political points.
However, the precise political party involved was not explicitly stated in the statement.
The statement partly read, “It has come to the attention of the Gombe State APC campaign council that some unscrupulous elements in the opposition in the state have concluded plans to come up with concerted smear campaigns against Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who is the governorship candidate of our party, in the coming days.
“We have credible intelligence that those opposition elements are working in cohort with their paymasters to dish out outright falsehood against our candidate and other party chieftains as part of their last attempts to hoodwink the Gombe electorate who have since made up their minds to reelect Governor Inuwa for a second term.
“Having seen the handwriting on the wall that they stand no chance in the rescheduled governorship and state assembly elections, which will now hold on March 18, these enemies of Gombe people have engaged the services of some political jobbers to execute their evil plot.
“We in the Gombe State APC campaign council have deemed it necessary to bring this to the attention of the Gombe people and urge them to disregard any such falsehood of any kind.”
While restating its commitment to peace, the council urged residents not to pay attention to the antics of the opposition, adding that with their usual support, Yahaya would triumph at the polls.
“We wish to reiterate that Governor Inuwa Yahaya remains resolute and deeply committed to continue with his good governance that will ensure a better Gombe for all the people of Gombe State and beyond. On this, his resolve remains unwavering.
“We call on the general public not to give in to the opposition’s hateful political propaganda and campaigns of incitement that threaten our peaceful coexistence.
“Gombe is reputed for its political non-violence, tolerance and stability. We must therefore approach elections as a family affair, devoid of rancour, ill-will and bitterness.
“This is to also caution those planning such evil to shelve their plot as the people of Gombe are solidly behind Governor Inuwa Yahaya and will give him a second mandate on Saturday, March 18, In Sha Allah,” Misilli added.