Gombe Emir Abubakar III Advocates Non-Partisan Role for Monarchs

On October 26, 2026, the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar III, asserted that traditional rulers are non-partisan and will not let personal interests divide their communities as the 2027 general elections approach. He made these remarks while hosting Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), at his palace in Gombe.

Abubakar emphasized the responsibility of traditional rulers to serve all subjects regardless of political affiliation, religious beliefs, or social backgrounds, highlighting their crucial role in fostering peaceful political participation. He assured INEC of the support from traditional institutions in Gombe State and the North-East region for the successful conduct of the elections.

Abubakar commended INEC for its efforts in promoting peaceful elections, referencing recent electoral events, and expressed confidence that INEC would learn from past experiences to ensure free and fair polls in 2027. Amupitan noted that engaging traditional rulers was part of INEC’s strategy to enhance electoral readiness across the country.