I’ve a lot to offer Gombe as governor – Dr Jamil Gwamna

Dr. Jamil Isyaku Gwamna (Sardaunan Gombe) on Wednesday, April 22, 2027, officially submitted his letter of Intent to contest for the position of Governor of Gombe State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview, Gwamna, an economist and strategist, who served as the campaign coordinator of candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu […]

Dr. Jamil Isyaku Gwamna (Sardaunan Gombe) on Wednesday, April 22, 2027, officially submitted his letter of Intent to contest for the position of Governor of Gombe State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview, Gwamna, an economist and strategist, who served as the campaign coordinator of candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Gombe State in 2023, shed light on why he wants to be the next governor of the state.

You just declared your ambition to be governor of Gombe State in 2027, how prepared are you for the onerous task?

Gombe State is a very unique state to Nigeria in view of the different ethnic groups from all parts of the country living here, doing their lawful businesses in the state and also looking at the appreciable efforts of past administrations, particularly that of Gov Inuwa Yahaya to put the state far above its peers in terms of development and economic prosperity, we need to sustain that feat because Gombe State is home to all Nigerians.

What is your mission and vision for the state?

Like I said while submitting my intent letter to my party, the APC, my decision is driven by a “New Vision for Continuity and Sustainability.” My vision is to consolidate existing achievements, while introducing innovative policies and programmes that would ensure long-term development, inclusive growth, and improved welfare for all citizens.

I will be committed to good governance, transparency, and people-oriented leadership. I will prioritise peace, unity, economic growth and development, youth and women empowerment, as well as sustainable infrastructural advancement.

In all, we will work together with my team if given the chance, to make Gombe State better, more peaceful and highly attractive to investors.

You have shown support for Gov Yahaya, why so?

I have never been one to court public attention or to offer explanations for my civic choices. I believe in the freedom of expression, and I equally believe that personal convictions do not always require public defence. Yet, there are moments when silence becomes a betrayal of truth, especially when the conversation concerns leadership, integrity, and the future of one’s home. This is one of such moments.

Why did you work for Yahaya’s re-election?

I stood with Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya because I have watched, closely and carefully, how sincerity of purpose, foresight, discipline and uncommon commitment can quietly but profoundly transform a society. My support is not emotional, partisan, or transactional. It is anchored on conviction, experience and verifiable outcomes. Over the years, I have encountered many leaders, but few have demonstrated the rare blend of humility, firmness and consistency that defines Governor Inuwa Yahaya. He is a man who speaks little but delivers much. His words carry weight because they are backed by action. When he commits, he follows through. When he promises, he executes.

This sincerity of purpose has become the defining strength of his leadership. It is what has enabled him to take difficult decisions, sustain reforms and remain focused, even when the path of convenience beckons.

Many times, you have described Yahaya as a “A Quiet Transformer”, can you shed more light on that?

Before 2019, Gombe was often described as a quiet agrarian state, rich in potential but constrained by limited infrastructure, modest revenues and fragile systems. Today, Gombe is increasingly cited as a reference point for fiscal discipline, development planning and governance efficiency.

This shift did not happen by accident. It is the product of careful thinking, long-term planning, and disciplined execution. Governor Inuwa Yahaya brought to governance a private-sector mindset: plan deliberately, spend prudently, monitor relentlessly and measure results honestly.

Under his watch, Gombe has consistently ranked among the top-performing states in Ease of Doing Business and public finance transparency. Under the leadership of Governor Inuwa Yahaya, Gombe placed first nationwide for Ease of Doing Business for two consecutive years, according to the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC). In the 2025 BudgIT Subnational Transparency Index, Gombe ranked second nationwide with 99 out of 100 points. These are not abstract accolades; they translate into investor confidence, institutional trust, and sustainable growth.

From your view point, how has infrastructure under Yahaya’s administration connected with the people?

One of the most visible expressions of this leadership is infrastructure development. Through the Network 11-100 initiative, roads now connect communities that were once isolated.

Over 900 kilometres of roads have been constructed across all 11 Local Government Areas, linking rural communities to markets and significantly reducing post-harvest losses for farmers.

Farmers now move their produce to markets with ease. Rural dwellers now feel the presence of government in tangible ways.

In Gombe metropolis, road expansions, solar lighting, and the Gombe Underpass have modernised the city and restored urban dignity. The completion and optimisation of the Ibrahim Dankwambo Mega Motor Park, inherited from previous administration, demonstrated that public service must rise above political ego. Today, it is one of the finest transport facilities in the Northeast. Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s disregarding the political origin of the project speaks volumes about a leader who prioritises public good over political ego. That decision alone reflects uncommon maturity in governance.

In the area of education, I will say that there is a transition from emergency to excellence in the sector.

Education is where the Governor’s heart for the future truly shows. When he declared a State of Emergency in Education, many doubted its feasibility. Yet, within a few years, outcomes changed dramatically.

From a 22 per cent pass rate, Gombe now records about 76 per cent success in external examinations. Over 450,000 out-of-school children have been brought back to classrooms. Over 1,600 classrooms have been renovated, and five Mega Colleges established to absorb rising enrolment. Teachers have been recruited, trained, and retrained.

Education in Gombe has moved from neglect to national competitiveness. This is redemption. In healthcare, Governor Inuwa Yahaya has pursued not just access, but dignity. Healthcare delivery has undergone a quiet revolution. Health sector funding rose from 3.5 per cent of the budget in 2019 to 15 per cent in 2025, meeting the Abuja Declaration benchmark. Under the leadership of Governor Inuwa Yahaya, the GoHealth Scheme now protects thousands of vulnerable citizens. The GoHealth Scheme now provides coverage for over 370,000 vulnerable citizens, while each of the 114 electoral wards has at least two fully equipped Primary Healthcare Centres. Over 580 health workers and midwives have been recruited, bringing healthcare closer to communities and reducing preventable deaths.

This is leadership that recognises that governance must first protect life, especially the lives of those who cannot protect themselves.

In the area of security, Gombe has been largely peaceful and it is not by accident.

Peace remains the foundation of development. While insecurity ravages many parts of Northern Nigeria, Gombe has remained one of the safest states in the region. Strategic security investments, community intelligence, and the establishment of GOSTEC have sustained stability and public confidence.

This environment of safety has allowed families to live, businesses to grow, and communities to thrive.

For many persons, Gov Yahaya’s administration has been synonymous with economic discipline and social justice, do you share in that sentiment?

Perhaps what impresses me most is the Governor’s financial discipline. In a climate where many states struggle with salary arrears, Gombe has consistently paid salaries before the 25th of every month. Gratuity arrears of over N33 billion have been cleared. Salary structures have been reviewed. Labour agreements honoured.

Revenue has grown from about N6.8 billion in 2019 to over N40 billion by 2025, not through over-taxation, but through reform, digitisation and efficiency. This is fiscal leadership rooted in prudence, not pressure.

You were Tinubu’s campaign coordinator in Gombe State in 2023, do you still want to campaign for his re-election?

Of course, Mr President has provided the right leadership seasoned with courage and determination to make Nigeria better, the least any patriotic citizen can do is to support and work for his re-election. Mr President loves Gombe just like our party leader in the state, Gov Inuwa loves Gombe so anyone who is a lover of our dear state we will support and pray for their political success.