Gombe 2027: What Voters Want Governorship Candidates To Campaign On

Voters in Gombe State want candidates to prioritise job creation, economic empowerment, address water scarcity, youth restiveness and the growing challenge of out-of-school children ahead of the 2027 governorship election rather than making promises disconnected from their realities.

The voters called on politicians seeking to occupy the Government House to focus their campaigns on issues affecting their livelihoods, access to basic services and the future of their children.

For residents like Muktar Ali, who declined to mention his preferred candidate, the polls should provide an opportunity to demand practical solutions to persistent socioeconomic challenges, rather than be dominated by political rivalries, personality attacks, and promises that may not translate into improved living conditions.

He noted that voters in the state want governorship candidates to explain how they intend to address problems that have continued to affect households across the state.

They also want candidates to present clear plans for economic empowerment, reducing youth restiveness in the state and ensuring that children from disadvantaged backgrounds have access to education.

Economic Empowerment 

Salma Belle, a resident of Wuro-Biriji, said the candidates should explain how their proposed policies would help small business owners, artisans, traders, farmers, women and young entrepreneurs establish sustainable sources of income, rather than cash distribution, food items and equipment during campaigns. 

“They should outline long term programmes that combine vocational training, access to affordable financing, business support and opportunities to develop marketable skills,” she said.

“We also want candidates to explain how empowerment programmes would be implemented transparently, ensuring that beneficiaries are selected based on need and eligibility rather than political affiliation.”

For those struggling with rising living costs and limited economic opportunities, the ability to earn a reliable income is central.

They urged candidates to demonstrate how their policies would support people who want to establish businesses, expand existing enterprises or acquire the skills required to become economically independent.

Unemployment, Opportunities for Young 

Unemployment is another major concern residents want governorship candidates to address through concrete and measurable commitments.

Many young people face difficulties securing employment after completing schools. Others possess practical skills but lack the capital, equipment and market access needed to establish businesses.

Alhassan Adamu, a Gombe based graduate of Public Administration from Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, called on the candidates to move beyond general promises of job creation. “They must explain the sectors in which they intend to generate employment, the investments required and the number of opportunities they realistically expect to create,” he said. 

Adamu added that agriculture, livestock production, food processing, construction, digital services and small scale manufacturing could provide opportunities if supported by appropriate infrastructure, training and access to markets.

For young voters like Adamu, the credibility of these promises will depend on whether candidates can present realistic plans for creating sustainable jobs rather than temporary opportunities designed to generate political support.

Water Scarcity in Gombe Metropolis

The persistent challenge of accessing reliable potable water is another issue residents want governorship candidates to address during their campaigns.

In communities experiencing irregular water supply, households may be forced to seek alternative sources, increasing domestic expenses and exposing some residents to potential health risks when safe water is unavailable.

Adamu insisted that the governorship candidates in the state should explain how they intend to improve water production, repair faulty infrastructure, strengthen distribution networks and extend reliable services to underserved communities.

“We also want politicians to identify the investments required to address the problem and provide realistic timelines for implementation. They should tell us how their interventions would improve access for households, businesses, schools and healthcare facilities.”

He stressed that access to safe water is a basic necessity that should feature prominently in discussions about governance and public service delivery. “Look at places like Federal Low Cost, Tunfure; there is a persistent challenge with water supply. 

Youth Restiveness 

Salma Belle also wants governorship candidates to provide plans on how to address youth restiveness.

She argues that efforts to maintain peace must be accompanied by measures that address the economic and social pressures confronting young people.

“They should also outline how youths would participate in decision making processes, rather than being mobilised mainly during political campaigns.”

The candidates should go beyond appeals for calm by explaining how their policies would tackle the problem.

The challenge of children out of school is another issue Belle wants candidates to address as part of their education agenda.

According to her, for families facing economic hardship, the costs associated with schooling make it difficult to keep children in the classroom. She called on the governorship candidates to explain how they would identify children excluded from education, support their return to school and ensure that they remain in the classroom.

“Let them tell us how they will improve school infrastructure, provide learning materials, and strengthen teacher recruitment. This is real campaigning, rather than baseless attacks.”

The voters believe that investment in education is not only a social responsibility but also a long term strategy for reducing poverty, expanding employment opportunities and preparing young people for a changing economy.

The central quest of the voters in the state is for those seeking their mandate to translate campaign promises into policies that improve livelihoods, expand opportunities for young people, provide reliable water and ensure that more children have access to quality education.