By Editor
ABUJA — The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Gombe State, Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, seeking a full investigation into what he described as a coordinated campaign of cyberbullying, criminal defamation and fake news allegedly targeted at him ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Highly placed sources familiar with the petition told Northerner Star online that on August 1 that Gwamna asked the Nigeria Police National Cybercrime Centre to lead the probe, with the involvement of INTERPOL, after intelligence suggested that some of those behind the online attacks may be operating from outside Nigeria.
The petition specifically names several social media accounts accused of publishing false reports that the APC candidate had been arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Gwamna denied the claims and described them as entirely false.
According to the document, the publications are part of a “carefully coordinated disinformation campaign” designed to mislead the public, damage his reputation and manipulate public perception at a time when his political profile and grassroots support are growing across Gombe State.
Political analysts say the petition highlights the increasingly aggressive tactics being deployed as the race for Gombe Government House gathers momentum.
Observers noted that Gwamna’s emergence as the leading APC contender has altered the political calculations in the state, with his acceptance across different constituencies unsettling sections of the opposition.
“Rather than engage on policy, programmes and the future of Gombe State, some political actors appear to have embraced misinformation, character assassination and cyberbullying in an attempt to slow the momentum of his campaign,” a source close to the campaign said.
Supporters of the APC candidate expressed confidence that the petition would expose those behind what they called an organised smear campaign. They reaffirmed their belief that voters would ultimately judge candidates on competence, integrity and vision for the state.
As of press time, neither the Nigeria Police Force nor the EFCC had issued a public statement on the petition.
The development comes months before party primaries and more than a year before the 2027 general elections, but early positioning in Gombe has already intensified, with social media emerging as a major battleground.
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