Crisis brews in Gombe SDP as Yakubu emerges acting chairman

The Gombe State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has appointed a new chairman, Aaron Yakubu to serve in acting capacity following the suspension of its state chairman, Comrade Adamu Abubakar Modibbo, over allegations of mismanagement, lack of transparency, and misuse of party resources.

His suspension was announced at a news conference held in Gombe on Saturday by the party’s Welfare Secretary, Usman Yahaya, on behalf of concerned members of the state executive.

Reading the statement, Yahaya said there were countless complaints against the now suspended chairman, whom he said had side-lined party stakeholders and running the party like his personal property.

“Since Comrade Modibbo assumed office, the party has experienced no meaningful progress. Instead, the leadership claims he has used his position to witch-hunt loyal stakeholders and frustrated committed party members for his personal gain.”

He accused Modibbo of systematically “caging” the party’s executive members and aspirants, depriving over 90% of both returning and newly acting executive members of access to official SDP membership cards.

He further alleged that the selection of party candidates has been done without due process or consultation, with names being announced solely via national platforms involving prominent figures like Malam Nasir El-Rufai, thereby side-lining the state executive.
Yahaya also accused the suspended chairman of allegedly using his personal residence as the de facto party office.

This, the executives say, violates proper procedures and comes despite funds being made available to renovate the official state party office and rent offices across the local government areas.

“As it stands, the SDP in Gombe State does not have a functional or recognised operational office,”

In the light of the above weighty and numerous allegations against Modibbo, the Welfare Secretary said that the Gombe State chapter of the party has taken decisive action by suspending Comrade Adamu Abubakar Modibbo as chairman with immediate effect.

“In this regard, we hereby announce that the current State Secretary of the party, Mr. Aaron Yakubu, will now serve as the Acting State Chairman of the SDP in Gombe.

“Similarly, Ambassador Lukman Adamu Elkanem, previously serving as the Acting Assistant Public Relations Officer, has now been appointed as the Acting State Secretary of the party.”

Yahaya, on behalf of the state chapter of the SDP, appealed for intervention from the national body of the party to look into the allegations against the former chairman and to restore discipline, accountability, and credible leadership to the Gombe chapter of the party.

Speaking shortly in an interview, Yakubu said he would work to build inclusiveness in the party and ensure all party members were carried along in line with the constitution of the party.

He stated that out of the 13 working committee members of the party, nine were present and in support of the suspension of Modibbo.

Yobe man kills neighbour over alleged affair with wife

By: Zagazola Makama

A 40-year-old man, Yau Ari Dawa of Fulameri Village in Yobe State, has allegedly stabbed his neighbour to death following a violent altercation over a suspected extramarital affair with his wife.

Zagazola Makama gathered from sources that the incident occurred late Wednesday night at about 11:30 p.m., when Dawa reportedly confronted Mallam Faji Gana, 35, accusing him of having an affair with his 25-year-old wife, Noja Yau.

The sources said that the confrontation quickly turned violent, and Dawa allegedly used a knife to stab Gana in the stomach during the scuffle.

A neighbour, raised an alarm and reported the incident to authorities in the early hours of Thursday.

Gana was rushed to the Specialist Hospital in Geidam, but was confirmed dead on arrival by medical personnel.

The suspect, Yau Ari Dawa, has since been arrested by operatives of the Yobe State Police Command.

According to police sources, the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation and possible prosecution.

Yobe man kills neighbour over alleged affair with wife

Climate resilience: Group tasks Adamawa stakeholders to enhance gender-responsive strategies

Women in Humanitarian Response in Nigeria Initiative (WiHRiN) in collaboration with UN Women and partner organizations urged stakeholders to enhance gender-responsive strategies in disaster preparedness and climate resilience.

Dr. Mimidoo Achakpa, the Coalition Coordinator made the call at the validation workshop in Yola.

She said, the workshop aimed at addressing gender gaps in disaster and climate resilience strategies in Adamawa State.

She advised the participants to critically assess the findings and provide additional input.

Dr. Hassan Misari, facilitator, presented an overview of the assessment findings, highlighting key gender-related challenges and opportunities within the state’s climate and disaster resilience frameworks.

He guided participants through a series of group discussions aimed at validating the findings and shaping a proposed roadmap for action.

Hajiya Safiya Mohammed, controller, Federal Ministry of Environment expressed the need for collaboration among security agencies, government institutions, and Civil Society Organisation to create resilient and gender-responsive disaster management frameworks.

Dr Ibrahim Umar, Director Ministry of environment emphasised the importance of inclusive strategies that ensure both men and women are equally involved in the development and implementation of disaster management policies in the state.

Falda Wesley, representative of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development expressed confidence that the discussions would lead to meaningful outcomes and stronger gender representation in humanitarian planning.

According to her, the workshop is an eye opener for additional knowledge for them to give them and take more ideas on their field work.

The workshop brought together the stakeholders to review and validate findings from a recent gender gap assessment, following a previous consultative meeting in the state.