By Rebecca Mu’azu, Gombe
The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Gombe State has received a major boost with the defection of prominent businessman and philanthropist, Mr. Jerry Damara, from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Mr. Damara, a well-known figure in Kaltungo Local Government Area, noted for his grassroots and community development initiatives, joined the APC alongside former Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Mr. Tha’anda Rubainu, and several other former PDP members.
During a courtesy visit to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya in Gombe, Mr. Damara pledged his full support for the APC-led administration.
He officially announced his defection by presenting his membership card to the governor and commended him for the administration’s achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, and education, which he said have significantly transformed the state.
Mr. Damara cited two key figures as his inspiration for joining the APC.
“I was inspired by the Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya. It took me some time to return to Gombe, but when I did, I saw real infrastructure development. I’m a lover of infrastructure because it’s my business. I ran to his office and said, ‘Your Excellency, what is going on here?’ He laughed, and I told him I would follow him,” Mr. Damara recounted.
Mr. Damara also pointed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as another source of inspiration.
He specifically mentioned the administration’s ambitious infrastructure projects, such as the road network connecting Lagos to Calabar and Sokoto.
“When I saw him declare the road project from Lagos to Calabar and Sokoto, I said, ‘The messiah has come,’ and I decided I would follow him. That’s how it happened. Today, we have defected, alongside other notable PDP stakeholders from Gombe South, including former Deputy Governor Tha’anda Rubainu, to the APC. And we’ve moved for good,” he said.
Governor Yahaya welcomed the new members, describing their defection as a significant boost to the APC’s political strength in the state.
According to him, the growing number of high-profile defections signaled increasing public confidence in his administration.
“This is a landmark moment. The strength of the opposition in Gombe is rapidly fading,” the governor declared.
Confidence Okwuchi