The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Gombe State, Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, has formally petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what he describes as a coordinated campaign of cyberbullying, criminal defamation and fake news allegedly orchestrated to damage his reputation ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Highly placed sources familiar with the petition disclosed that Gwamna requested an immediate investigation by the Nigeria Police National Cybercrime Centre, with the involvement of INTERPOL, following intelligence suggesting that some of those behind the online attacks may be operating from outside Nigeria.
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The petition reportedly names several social media accounts accused of publishing false claims that the APC candidate had been arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), allegations which Gwamna categorically denies.
According to the sources, the petition describes the publications as a carefully coordinated disinformation campaign designed to mislead the public, injure his reputation and manipulate public perception at a time when his political profile and grassroots support continue to grow across Gombe State.
The petition reportedly urges the Police to obtain subscriber information, IP logs and other digital evidence from Meta Platforms, identify the sponsors and financiers of the campaign, prosecute all those found culpable and secure the removal of the offending publications.
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Political analysts believe the latest development underscores the increasingly desperate tactics being deployed as the Gombe governorship contest gathers momentum.
Observers note that Dr. Gwamna’s emergence as the leading contender has significantly altered the political landscape in the state, with his growing acceptance across different constituencies unsettling sections of the opposition.
Rather than engage on policy, programmes and the future of Gombe State, critics say some political actors appear to have embraced misinformation, character assassination and cyberbullying in an attempt to slow the momentum of his campaign.
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Supporters of the APC candidate expressed confidence that the petition would expose those behind what they describe as an organised smear campaign and reaffirmed their belief that the electorate would ultimately judge candidates on competence, integrity and their vision for the state.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigeria Police Force nor the EFCC had publicly commented on the petition.