From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Gombe State, Bala Bello Tinka, has promised free education and healthcare for vulnerable groups if elected governor in 2027.
Tinka made the pledge after concluding a 25-day grassroots consultation tour across Gombe North and Gombe Central Senatorial Districts, where he engaged residents in communities, towns and wards ahead of the governorship election.
The tour covered all 52 wards in the five local government areas of Gombe North and 22 wards in Gombe Central, reaching more than 50 major towns and communities.
Under his proposed education policy, Tinka said his administration would provide free education for eligible students from primary school to university, removing financial barriers and expanding opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
He also pledged free antenatal care for pregnant women, free medical services for children aged five and below, and free healthcare for senior citizens aged 70 and above.
The ADC candidate said the proposed interventions would ease the financial burden on vulnerable households and improve access to essential public services.
On land ownership, Tinka promised to review cases of alleged land and farmland confiscation by the APC-led Gombe State Government and work towards restoring affected properties to their rightful owners if elected.
He said farmers and other landowners deserved justice where their properties had been unfairly taken, adding that protecting property rights would be a priority of his administration.
Tinka also promised to make fertiliser available to farmers at affordable prices and at the appropriate time to improve agricultural productivity and strengthen food security.
On security, he pledged to intensify efforts to protect lives and property, particularly by tackling phone snatching, street theft and other criminal activities affecting residents and businesses.
The candidate said his proposed policies were designed to improve living standards and ensure that residents enjoyed meaningful benefits from democratic governance.
He thanked residents, ADC members, supporters and grassroots stakeholders for their reception and participation throughout the consultation tour, saying the exercise had reinforced the importance of listening directly to citizens and understanding their concerns.
The grassroots engagement is expected to continue in Gombe South Senatorial District, covering four local government areas and 40 wards, as Tinka and his team extend their consultations to more communities.
He urged residents to sustain their support for the ADC and participate actively in the democratic process ahead of the 2027 governorship election.