Gombe: Ex-PDP guber candidate announces defection to ADC

Mr Jibrin Barde, the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe, in the 2023 General Election has formally announced his defection to the African Democratic Party(ADC).

Barde made the announcement in Gombe on Tuesday night during a chat with journalists in the state.

The announcement puts to rest, series of speculations about Barde’s actual party after leading some opposition blocs in July, to adopt ADC as a party for opposition coalition in the state.

Speaking about his defection, he said that he had since left the PDP early 2025 to join ADC with the mission to challenge the All Progressives Congress-led government in the state.

He said that though there had been speculations around the political party he belonged, with some speculating that he was a member of Social Democratic Party (SDP).

“I don’t have any stint with the SDP; I was a member of the PDP, I left the PDP early this year.

“There had been speculations across the state, nobody is aware of anything but of course I have left the PDP.

” I have been a member of the ADC formally since early this year.

“I am a member of the ADC and anybody who claims not to be a member of the ADC should come and show his membership card.

“This is my membership card and I am ready to revalidate it,” he said.

Speaking on his role in opposition coalition, Barde said that he had been working in collaboration with other opposition coalition members to bring together all the parties.

He said that except opposition parties in the state worked together and stayed united on a course, it would be difficult to oust the APC government.

“I call on members of the ADC in the state to come together and let us get this coalition stronger, that is what has happened at the national level.”

He said that the ADC ran an open door policy and did not believe in imposition as the party remains one-man one-vote party.

Barde said that Atiku Abubakar, Nasiru El-Rufai and Rauf Aregbesola had joined the ADC long ago. “What we are going to do now is revalidation of membership and mobilisation of new members.”

He called on the members of the PDP and all other opposition parties in the state to join the coalition movement to oust the All Progressives Congress at the state and national level.

Barde assured residents of Gombe State of good governance should the ADC form the next government, saying: “If we had taken over our government in 2023, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

Gombe: Ex-PDP guber candidate announces defection to ADC

Gombe, UNICEF upgrade PHCs to improve maternal, child care

The Gombe State government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has begun revitalising three primary healthcare facilities in Akko, Kwami, and Dukku Local Government Areas (LGAs).

Dr Habu Dahiru, the state’s Commissioner of Health, made the announcement on Wednesday during a ceremony marking the official handover of the facilities to contractors.

He said the government was focusing on upgrading all primary healthcare centres, as they served as the first point of care for patients in communities.

Dahiru explained that the revitalisation aimed to bring the facilities to level two standards, including climate-friendly structures, staff quarters, water supply, and solar-powered electricity.

UNICEF is supporting one facility in each of the three LGAs, with contractors mobilised to begin work and a completion timeline of three months.

The commissioner said the upgraded facilities would enhance maternal and infant care, particularly in labour rooms, pharmacies, and laboratories, benefiting overall community health services.

He urged community leaders in the three LGAs to cooperate with contractors to ensure timely completion of the project.

Dahiru commended UNICEF and other development partners for their contributions to improving healthcare for residents of Gombe State.

Dr Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, said the project strengthened the healthcare system and aimed to save the lives of mothers and newborns.

She added that operational, well-equipped facilities attracted communities to seek care, stressing that access to water, toilets, and comfortable service areas improved utilisation.

Rafique hailed the partnership between Gombe State government and UNICEF in efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality across the state.

She noted that solar power, water supply, WASH systems, and facility service areas would be revitalised, urging stakeholders to ensure quality work for lasting community benefit.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PHCs were handed over to the contractors by the Gombe State government and UNICEF for the commencement of works.

Gombe, UNICEF upgrade PHCs to improve maternal, child care

Court Clears Suspected Terror Suspect, Mike Nwaukoni, For UK Trip, Gives Tough Conditions

The Federal High Court sitting in Asaba on the 8th of December, 2025 delivered a ruling that sent a ripple through the courtroom and beyond, as Honourable Justice Olufunmilola Agbaje ordered the temporary release of the international passport of Mr. Mike Nwaukoni, one of the defendants standing trial over grave allegations bordering on terrorism, attempted murder and the orchestration of communal war.

Mr. Nwaukoni had approached the court by motion, seeking the release of his passport to enable him travel to the United Kingdom for a two-week period to attend the graduation ceremony of his son, Pascal Nwaukoni, scheduled to hold at the City of St George’s University, London, located at Barbican Central, Silk Street, London—a destination clearly outside the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Asaba.

The application was, however, vigorously opposed by the prosecution, led by Godwin Uangbaoje Esq, who appeared on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police. In a strongly worded counter-affidavit, the prosecution urged the court to refuse the request, contending that Mr. Nwaukoni was a flight risk, a danger to society, and a suspect currently under investigation for additional serious crimes beyond those already before the court.

After listening to detailed submissions from both sides, including arguments by E. L. Akpofure, SAN, counsel to the Defendant/Applicant, Justice Agbaje granted the application—but not without conditions that many observers in court described as very stringent.

In her ruling, the learned trial judge ordered that the Senior Advocate of Nigeria representing Mr. Nwaukoni must personally execute a written and signed undertaking to produce the defendant before the court on the next adjourned date. In addition, Mr. Nwaukoni himself was directed to sign a formal undertaking committing to return his international passport to the court not later than three (3) days after his return from the United Kingdom.

The court further ordered the Deputy Registrar of the Federal High Court to formally notify the Nigerian Immigration Service, mandating it to closely monitor Mr. Nwaukoni’s movement in and out of the country throughout the duration of the trip.
Justice Agbaje issued a stern warning that any breach whatsoever of the conditions attached to the temporary release of the passport would result in the immediate revocation of Mr. Nwaukoni’s bail and his remand in prison custody.

The case itself continues to attract intense public attention. Mr. Nwaukoni is standing trial alongside four other suspects on charges relating to terrorism, attempted murder and the deliberate instigation of communal unrest. Proceedings have already moved into substantive trial, with a senior police commander who was present at the scene of the alleged incident having testified for the prosecution.

During his testimony, the police commander told the court that Mr. Nwaukoni allegedly arrived at the palace with a mob of miscreants, thugs and fully armed men, leading to a violent confrontation. Under cross-examination, the witness further confirmed that he knew Mr. Nwaukoni very well and disclosed that barely a week before the commencement of trial, he had been invited to Mr. Nwaukoni’s private residence, alongside the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), shortly before he was due to give evidence in court.

With the passport now released under tight judicial surveillance, all eyes remain on whether the defendant will strictly comply with the court’s conditions and not run away from his trial—or risk being taken into custody as the high-stakes terrorism trial resumes.

Court Clears Suspected Terror Suspect, Mike Nwaukoni, For UK Trip, Gives Tough Conditions