Gombe 2027: Facing the real challenges

Gombe State has, by most fair judgments, enjoyed steady leadership since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999. This did not happen by chance. It is the result of leaders who, even from different political parties, chose to build on what they met instead of starting all over again. The administration of Abubakar Habu Hashidu laid […]

Gombe State has, by most fair judgments, enjoyed steady leadership since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999. This did not happen by chance. It is the result of leaders who, even from different political parties, chose to build on what they met instead of starting all over again.

The administration of Abubakar Habu Hashidu laid the foundation. His time in office focused on peace, stability, and putting basic structures in place. He also brought capable people into government. One of them was Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, who served as Chairman of the State Water Board and worked on early efforts to improve access to clean water.

Those who came after Hashidu: Danjuma Goje, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, and the current governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya continued along this path. They invested in roads, schools, hospitals, and higher institutions and the only airport in the state. While there is still work to be done, the progress is clear.

Now, with Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna emerging as a consensus governorship candidate under the All Progressives Congress (APC),  the focus shifts to what comes next. His task is not to start from scratch, but to build on what already exists and improve areas where people are still struggling.

One thing that could possibly stand him out is his background: his experience both in government and in the private sector. After his early work in government, Dr. Gwamna later managed the Kano Electricity Distribution Company as CEO, where he handled a much bigger system utilising limited resources, dealing with huge public complaints, fixing infrastructure problems, and meeting strict performance targets.

Beyond experience, he is said to have taken a bold steps to prepare for the onerous task. He commissioned studies on key areas of challenges under the coordination of Prof. B. Y. Abubakar. These studies cover health, education, agriculture, food security, security, and the business environment.

Aside the above areas, a special focus on wealth creation and business will also be critical. Gombe is growing as a commercial centre, attracting traders from different backgrounds. To support this, the government will need to improve markets, make it easier to do business, and help small businesses grow.

All these plans may sound good. But plans alone are not enough. What matters most is how they are implemented.

Moving from the private sector to government is not always easy. In business, decisions are faster and control is clearer. In government, there are more interests to balance, and progress can be slower. Success will depend on how well Dr. Gwamna adjusts to this reality.

 There is also the issue of high expectations. People in Gombe now expect real results not just projects, better living conditions but an enabling business environment. They want schools that truly teach, hospitals that work, and policies that improve their daily lives. Promises of quick results, especially within the first 100 days, may raise hopes, but real change takes time.

Another challenge is coordination. Good ideas often fail because different parts of government do not work together. Ensuring that ministries and agencies follow the same plan will be the key.

In the end, the task ahead is serious. Gombe has made progress, but there is still a lot more to do. Building on past achievements will require careful planning, strong leadership, and consistent effort.

More importantly, it will require fairness. Leadership is not just about projects; it is about the people. The state needs a leader who sees all citizens as one, who governs with justice, and who acts with the fear of God.

The future of Gombe will depend not just on ideas, but on how well those ideas are turned into real results that people can see and feel in their daily lives.

 

Muhammad Musa-Gombe, a media practitioner, is based in Abuja and can be reached through [email protected].