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| The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC |
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially released the final list of candidates who will contest the upcoming House of Representatives bye-election for the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency in Gombe State. This announcement, made public on Thursday through a statement signed by Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the Secretary to the Commission, clears the path for voters in the three local government areas to choose a new representative.
According to the list, four candidates have been cleared. Yaya Alfa Muhammad will fly the flag of the Allied Peoples Party (APP). Kallamu Usman Maijama’a is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Gaddafi Haruna represents the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), while Abdulkarim Abdulmajib stands for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). The document notes that these candidates hold various educational qualifications ranging from First School Leaving Certificate and Senior Secondary School Certificate to National Certificate in Education, bachelor’s degrees, and even doctorate degrees.
The bye-election became necessary after the sudden death of the sitting lawmaker, Honourable Yaya Bauchi Tongo, on June 12, 2026. Tongo, who was representing the constituency on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), passed away in an Abuja hospital following a brief illness. He was 62 years old at the time of his death. Before joining the National Assembly, Tongo had served as Chairman of Funakaye Local Government Area, Special Adviser to the Gombe State Government, and a member of the Gombe State House of Assembly. He also chaired the Nigeria-United Arab Emirates Parliamentary Friendship Group in the House of Representatives.
On July 23, 2026, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, formally declared the seat vacant in line with the 1999 Constitution. This declaration officially notified INEC and set the process in motion for a bye-election to ensure the people of Gombe, Kwami, and Funakaye continue to have a voice in the National Assembly.
The release of the final candidates’ list marks an important step toward the election, which earlier reports indicated is scheduled for September 19, 2026. Campaigns were set to end just days before the polls. Residents of the constituency can now focus on the contenders and prepare to exercise their voting rights. INEC’s action aims to restore full legislative representation for the area after months of vacancy caused by the late lawmaker’s passing. The process is expected to proceed smoothly so that a new representative can take office and continue serving the people of Gombe State.