Gombe denies alleged assault on SDP chairman
The Gombe State Government has denied that Governor Muhammadu Yahaya assaulted the state chairman of the Social Democratic Party at the airport.
The government, in a press statement signed by the Director-General of Press Affairs Gombe Government House, Ismaila Misilli, described the party’s allegation as “a lie.”
The Chairman, Adamu Modibbo, had alleged in a viral video obtained by our correspondent that the governor attempted to assault him.
While reacting to Modibbo’s claim, Misilli said, “This is a lie from the pit of hell. The claim of an alleged altercation with His Excellency, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya is nothing but a fabricated story created from the depths of your wildest imagination.
“There was absolutely no confrontation or assault at the airport involving the governor, absolutely none!”
Misili warned the party against falsifying claims, adding, “Such baseless propaganda is an attempt at cheap blackmail and will take you nowhere.
“It is unfortunate that the SDP acting chairman in Gombe resorts to making up falsehoods to gain attention.
“We urge the public to disregard these misleading claims.
“We encourage the SDP to wake up from this fantasy and engage in constructive politics rather than wasting time on unfounded drama.
“Gombe State deserves better than this kind of divisive narrative and shenanigans.”
However, the SDP had maintained that the altercation occurred.
According to a press statement issued by Muhammad Abdulkadir, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the acting Chairman, SDP Gombe State, said the incident occurred on board the flight to Abuja.
Abdulkadir said, “Our attention has been drawn to a misleading and baseless press statement issued by Ismaila Uba Misilli, the Director-General of Press Affairs to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
“The statement, which seeks to downplay the unfortunate incident that occurred during a flight from Gombe to Abuja, is nothing but an attempt to distort the truth and mislead the public.
“To set the records straight, it is an undeniable fact that during the said flight, the Acting Chairman of SDP Gombe State, Comrade Adamu Abubakar Modibbo, extended due courtesy and respect to the governor, in line with the decorum and maturity expected in political engagements.
“However, in a shocking display of intolerance and lack of statesmanship, Governor Inuwa Yahaya responded with aggression, launching into a heated verbal attack and even attempting to physically assault the SDP Chairman.”
Speaking further, the party noted that despite this provocation, Modibbo demonstrated exemplary composure and maturity by refusing to engage in any retaliatory action.
“The heated exchange persisted until the flight landed in Abuja, where the matter escalated. The press statement from the Governor’s media team, which denied this incident, is nothing but an attempt at face-saving propaganda. Instead of addressing the governor’s unacceptable behaviour, they have resorted to name-calling, gaslighting, and outright denial.
“This further exposes the administration’s habitual disregard for decorum, democratic engagement, and opposition voices.
“We challenge the Gombe State Government to prove that this incident did not happen rather than issuing empty rhetoric. Let it be known that intimidation and reckless conduct will not deter the SDP from its commitment to providing a credible alternative for the people of Gombe State.
“We urge the public to see through this desperate attempt to cover up the truth. The people of Gombe deserve leaders who embody humility, maturity, and respect for democratic principles, not those who resort to intimidation and suppression,” the statement partly added.
