Gombe gov welcomes ex-PDP stalwart, Damara, to APC

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has received Hon. Jerry Joseph Damara, a former chieftain of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a prominent Tangale-Waja political figure, and business mogul, who has formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Hon. Damara was accompanied to the Government House on Thursday by a powerful delegation from the Gombe South Senatorial District, where he presented his new APC membership card, earlier obtained at his Kulishin Ward in Shongom LGA.

An elated Governor Yahaya described the occasion as a special and historic moment—not only for the APC in Gombe State but for the party’s national structure as a whole.

He noted that the calibre of political figures accompanying Hon. Damara was a clear indication of his political weight and influence in the zone.

According to him, “I am deeply elated to witness the presence of the crème de la crème of Tangale-Waja politics—and indeed, of Gombe State as a whole. Any defector who is accompanied by three former Deputy Governors, four serving Local Government Chairmen, four Members of the State Assembly, and members of the State Executive Council is not a politician to be taken lightly. This is a major political breakthrough for our party in Tangale-Waja.”

Governor Yahaya added that with such a formidable alliance, any political challenge in the zone could be overcome.

He reaffirmed his commitment to celebrating Damara’s defection “in his own political way” and reiterated his resolve to further strengthen the APC across the senatorial district.

The Governor also used the occasion to highlight his administration’s achievements in Gombe South, citing critical infrastructure projects like the Balanga South–North road and the Tula–Yiri road construction, as well as numerous upgrades to healthcare centres, and primary and secondary schools across all 40 wards of the zone.

Governor Yahaya further commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his courageous leadership and the tough but necessary economic decisions being taken at the national level—actions he described as crucial to breaking long-standing barriers to Nigeria’s economic growth.

In his remarks, Hon. Jerry Joseph Damara explained that his decision to join the APC was inspired by Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s unprecedented developmental strides, particularly his inclusive governance style, which he said has benefitted all parts of the state regardless of political affiliation.

“Your Excellency, from today, my loyalty to you and your administration is total. The developmental train you are driving is unstoppable, and I refuse to be left behind,” Damara declared.

He added that after extensive consultations with political elders and key stakeholders from the Tangale-Waja axis, they had resolved to put an end to years of political fragmentation in Gombe South and fully embrace the APC.

“Our team has concluded that the APC represents the future of our people, and I am here today with my membership card as a symbol of that renewed commitment,” he said.

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Hon. Damara was accompanied by a heavyweight delegation, including former Deputy Governors Charles Iliya, Ta’anda Rubainu, and Senator Joshua Lidani; Local Government Chairpersons from Shongom, Kaltungo, Billiri, and Balanga; former Federal Lawmaker Hon. Adamu Gora Kalba; and four serving members of the Gombe State House of Assembly: Hon. Zubairu Ayala, Hon. Gaius Golkos, Hon. Yerima Ladan Gaule, among others.

Also present were the Commissioner for Women Affairs, several party leaders, and top government officials.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya was joined in receiving Mr. Damara and his team by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi; Chief of Staff Abubakar Inuwa Kari; and state commissioners, as contained in a statement by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General (Press Affairs), Government House, Gombe.