By Aliyu Fulani
There is an important distinction that should be made regarding the article by Ibrahim Sani Shawai titled “Gombe 2027: Elections Are Won at the Polls, Not on Social Media.”
The writer is entitled to support Dr. Jamil Isyaku Gwamna and promote his political ambition. However, readers should also consider the context in which the article was written.
The article was signed by Ibrahim Sani Shawai, who identified himself as Media Aide to Dr. Jamil Isyaku Gwamna. That disclosure is important because it means the article should be understood primarily as political advocacy or opinion from someone associated with the aspirant, rather than as an independent assessment of the candidate’s electoral strength.
Political Advocacy Is Different From Independent Analysis
The writer correctly argues that elections are not won on social media. Likes are not votes, followers are not polling units and online popularity cannot substitute for the actual support of voters.
However, the same principle should apply to political publicity.
Positive articles about a candidate are not votes either. Claims about grassroots acceptance, long-standing relationships and political popularity should be supported by evidence before they are treated as indicators of electoral strength.
This is particularly important as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify across Nigeria. Voters will increasingly encounter competing narratives from candidates, supporters, political parties and their media teams.
As highlighted in The Bureau Journal’s guide to the 2027 Nigerian elections, voters will ultimately have to assess candidates, policies and political claims before making their decisions.
What Evidence Supports Claims of Popularity?
The original article argues that Dr. Jamil Gwamna has spent many years building relationships across Gombe State through his corporate career, public service, political activities, philanthropy and community engagements.
Those activities may be relevant to his political profile. However, the existence of relationships or previous engagements does not automatically establish that a majority of voters support his governorship ambition.
The important question therefore remains straightforward: How many eligible voters in Gombe State are prepared to vote for Jamil Gwamna in 2027?
That question cannot be answered by a media aide, political supporter, social media audience or newspaper article.
It will ultimately be answered by voters at the polling units.
Gombe Voters Deserve More Than Political Narratives
The 2027 political conversation in Gombe State should go beyond arguments about who has the strongest political network or the most visible supporters.
Voters deserve to know what each aspirant intends to do if elected.
What is the candidate’s economic blueprint for Gombe State?
How does he intend to create jobs for young people?
What is his plan for agriculture, education and healthcare?
How will his administration attract private investment?
What policies will improve internally generated revenue without placing additional pressure on ordinary residents?
How will government improve infrastructure and public services across the state’s 11 local government areas?
These are the questions that can help voters distinguish between political publicity and a credible governing agenda.
Social Media Still Matters in 2027
It is also important not to dismiss social media completely.
Although social media cannot cast a ballot, it has become an important part of modern political communication. Candidates use digital platforms to explain their policies, respond to criticism, mobilise supporters and reach younger voters.
However, digital popularity should not be confused with electoral victory.
A candidate may dominate online conversations and still struggle to translate that visibility into votes. Conversely, a politician with limited online visibility may have a strong grassroots structure that becomes apparent only when voters go to the polls.
The same principle applies to political articles. A well-written article can influence public discussion, but it cannot independently establish that a candidate enjoys majority support.
Political Support Should Be Tested Against Voter Reality
Political parties and aspirants across Nigeria are already positioning themselves for the 2027 elections. Recent developments, including emerging candidate lists and party realignments, show how quickly the political landscape can change.
The Bureau Journal’s coverage of emerging 2027 political candidates illustrates the scale of the political contest developing across the country.
In such an environment, claims of political strength should be treated as claims until they are supported by credible evidence.
Having supporters is important. Having political structures is important. Having a strong media team is important. But none of these, by themselves, constitutes an electoral mandate.
The Real Test Will Be the Election
There is nothing wrong with Dr. Jamil Gwamna seeking the governorship of Gombe State. Every qualified citizen has the constitutional right to participate in politics and seek the mandate of the electorate.
His supporters also have every right to promote his candidacy and highlight what they consider his strengths.
But political advocacy should be clearly distinguished from independent analysis.
A supporter can praise a candidate, but praise should not be presented as proof of popularity.
A media aide can promote his principal, but political promotion should not automatically be interpreted as an independent assessment.
An aspirant can express confidence in his chances, but confidence is not the same thing as an electoral mandate.
Gombe Voters Have the Final Say
The 2027 election will eventually provide the clearest evidence of where the political preferences of Gombe voters lie.
Until then, competing claims about popularity, acceptance and political strength should remain open to scrutiny.
The people of Gombe State deserve a political debate based not only on personalities and endorsements, but also on policies, records, competence, credibility and realistic plans for development.
Social media will have its role. Political articles will have their role. Campaign organisations will have their role.
But the final decision belongs to the electorate.
When the votes are counted, it will not be the number of articles published, social media engagements recorded or political claims made that determines the winner.
It will be the votes cast by the people of Gombe State.
The people—not political aides, supporters or commentators—will decide.
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