Top Governorship candidate promises free fuel for commercial motorcycle riders
Top Governorship candidate promises free fuel for commercial motorcycle riders
The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress in Gombe State, Bala-Bello Tinka, has promised free fuel for commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators if elected governor in the 2027 election.
Tinka, who disclosed this during an interview with a local radio station in Gombe monitored by our correspondent on Thursday, said the initiative would be part of measures to cushion the economic hardship caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy.
The ADC candidate also announced a one-day free fuel distribution for commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.
He said the beneficiaries would obtain the fuel at designated filling stations in Gombe between 6am and 6pm on October 1, 2026.
“On October 1st, from 6 am to 6 pm, any Okada rider and Keke Napep operator should go to our designated filling stations and collect fuel free of charge. This is our little way of celebrating with Nigerians and reducing their suffering,” Tinka was quoted as saying.
He explained that commercial transport operators were among those worst affected by the removal of the fuel subsidy, adding that the gesture was intended to enable them to mark the Independence anniversary without the burden of fuel expenses for the day.
See more Punch stories on Google.
Tinka further promised that, if elected, his administration would sustain the free-fuel initiative as part of its palliative measures for commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators.
Beyond the fuel intervention, the businessman-turned-politician outlined policies he said would form the basis of his administration if elected governor.
On healthcare, Tinka promised free medical treatment for children below five years and residents aged above 70.
“We will provide free healthcare for our children under the age of five and for our elderly parents. No child should die because the parents cannot afford hospital bills, and no old person should be left to die,” he said.
On agriculture, the ADC candidate said his administration would overhaul the procurement of fertiliser by sourcing the commodity from local wholesalers rather than directly from manufacturers.
“If we buy from local wholesalers, the money will stay in Gombe, it will circulate among our people and boost our local economy. That is how to grow Gombe,” Tinka stated.
He said the proposed policy would strengthen local agro-dealers and create employment opportunities across the agricultural value chain.
Tinka also promised to prioritise indigenous contractors in the execution of government projects, saying outsiders would only be engaged where the required technical expertise was unavailable in the state.
“We have competent engineers, builders and contractors in Gombe. We will patronise them to help our local experts grow. We will only go outside when it is absolutely necessary,” he declared.
On the perennial water shortage in Gombe metropolis and other parts of the state, Tinka said his administration would seek a permanent solution rather than continue with temporary interventions.
He promised to commission a comprehensive study to establish the root causes of the water crisis and develop measures to permanently address it.
“Water is life, but our people have suffered for too long without water. We will not do temporary fixes. We will identify the root cause and bring an end to this perennial water scarcity in Gombe,” he assured.
Tinka urged residents to support the ADC in the 2027 general elections, promising to run an inclusive administration focused on the welfare of the people.
