The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State has strongly condemned an assault involving a governor’s aide and a serving councillor, following the circulation of a viral video that sparked widespread public outrage.
The footage shows Adamu Abdullahi Danko, an aide attached to the Office of the Chief of Staff to the Gombe State Governor, allegedly assaulting Abdulrahman Abubakar, a councillor, who appeared helpless in the video. The incident drew sharp reactions from civil society groups, including Amnesty International and the Gombe State Network of Civil Society Organisations, which described the assault as unacceptable and demanded justice, including the aide’s dismissal.
Amnesty International also criticised the incident as a disturbing example of growing impunity and repression by public officials in the state.
Reacting on Tuesday, the APC, through its State Publicity Secretary, Moses Kyari, said the party was deeply concerned by the incident and unequivocally condemned all forms of violence and unlawful behaviour. Kyari described the assault as troubling and clearly at odds with the party’s values, discipline and democratic principles.
He disclosed that the party has launched a full internal investigation and summoned those involved to establish the facts behind the altercation. According to him, the move is aimed at ensuring accountability, protecting the party’s integrity and preventing similar incidents in the future.
Kyari stressed that the actions seen in the viral video were carried out solely on the individual’s initiative, without any approval or directive from the party or the state government. He added that taking the law into one’s hands is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
The APC also praised the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abubakar Inuwa Kari, for promptly suspending the aide, Adamu Danko, pending the outcome of the investigation, describing the decision as a clear sign of commitment to discipline and justice.
Assuring the public of transparency, Kyari said the investigation would be thorough and guided by the APC constitution, relevant laws and established procedures. He noted that the probe would examine all aspects of the incident, including events leading up to it and an audio message reportedly linked to the altercation.
The party reaffirmed its commitment to accountability, due process and the rule of law, assuring the public, human rights groups and other stakeholders that anyone found guilty would face appropriate sanctions in line with party rules and the law.
