The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Gombe State, Bala Bello Tinka, has concluded a 33-day statewide consultation tour covering 11 Local Government Areas, 114 wards and 286 communities ahead of the 2027 election.
The grassroots engagements across the 11 LGAs of the state, took Tinka to palaces, markets, farms and motor parks where he met traditional rulers, youth groups, women leaders, farmers, traders, civil servants and motorcycle operators to listen to their concerns and share his governance blueprint.
During the tour, the ADC candidate and the residents discussed issues ranging from school fees and maternal health to fertiliser supply, water scarcity and insecurity.
At the centre of his proposed agenda is free education from primary to university level.
Tinka said no child should be denied education because of poverty, adding that the policy would ease pressure on parents, boost enrolment and build a skilled workforce for the state.
On healthcare, he pledged free antenatal services for pregnant women to remove financial barriers to maternal care, particularly for low-income households.
He argued that protecting mothers and ensuring safe childbirth must be a core duty of government.
He also promised free healthcare for children from birth to age five and for senior citizens aged 70 and above, as part of a broader plan to make healthcare accessible to the most vulnerable.
Tinka placed civil servants’ welfare at the heart of his governance plan, promising to restore dignity and motivation in the public service by providing proper office facilities and a conducive working environment.
He criticized the biometric attendance system introduced by the APC administration, saying it demands compliance without providing basic working tools.
He pledged to abolish the current arrangement and introduce a fairer, worker-friendly accountability system.
On the economy, the ADC flagbearer said his administration would expand opportunities for youths, women, artisans and small businesses, while ensuring that investments in Gombe translate into real benefits for residents.
For farmers, who Tinka said formed the backbone of the state’s economy, Tinka promised timely and affordable fertiliser and inputs before the farming season, as well as improved access to equipment to boost productivity and food security.
He also pledged to tackle water scarcity, insecurity and street crimes such as phone snatching, while creating an organized and safe environment for commercial motorcycle operators, to earn a legitimate living.
According to his campaign team, the tour marks a shift towards people-centred governance, but the real test will be translating the promises into measurable improvements in the lives of Gombe people if elected in 2027.