Transport firm alleges expulsion from Gombe park politically motivated

Gombawa Motors Nigeria Limited has described its expulsion from the Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo Mega Park in Gombe State as politically motivated, alleging that the action came shortly after the company publicly declared support for the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Professor Isa Ali-Pantami.

The company, in a statement, made this known via a viral video by its Secretary, Muhammad Umar, while rejecting allegations that it violated the operational rules of the state-owned transport terminal, and insisting that the decision was aimed at punishing it for exercising its constitutional right to political association.

Arewa PUNCH reports that Gombe is currently being governed by the All Progressives Congress.

According to Umar, the timing of the expulsion raises questions about the motive behind the action.

“The expulsion came shortly after the company openly identified with Professor Isa Ali Pantami. The timing raises legitimate concerns over political interference,” Umar said.

Our correspondent reports that the company was directed to vacate the Mega Park within 24 hours through a notice dated June 25, 2026, issued by Principal Facilities Management Limited, the firm responsible for managing the terminal.

The notice, signed by the firm’s Managing Director, Mayo Ani, stated that the decision followed a resolution of the Mega Park Management Committee which accused the transport company of repeatedly violating the park’s operational guidelines, failing to comply with management directives, and attracting complaints from other operators.

Copies of the notice were also sent to GROCOL, the Mega Park Management Committee, the Gombe State Police Command, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

However, Gombawa Motors argued that the allegations were vague and unsupported, insisting that the notice failed to identify the specific infractions it allegedly committed.

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“The notice failed to clearly specify the alleged violations. Support for any political figure is a constitutional right protected under the Nigerian law,” he added.

Umar also criticised recent operational changes introduced during the restructuring of the Mega Park, claiming they had centralised transport operations under the government’s control through terminal allocations and restrictions on independent loading activities.

He maintained that the company’s removal from the terminal violated constitutional safeguards.

“This action raises constitutional concerns regarding freedom of association and the right to fair hearing. A major private transport operator should not be removed without due process and clearly established procedures,” he declared.

Arewa PUNCH further reports that although the management’s expulsion notice did not cite political motives as the basis for its decision, the action came barely two days after the company’s endorsement of Pantami.

When contacted, the General Manager of Gombe Line, Dr. Sani Sabo, confirmed that Gombawa Motors had been expelled from the Mega Park but dismissed allegations of political interference.

“They are not above the law,” Sabo said, insisting that the decision was based solely on the company’s alleged failure to comply with the park’s operational regulations.

As of the time of filing this report, the Gombe State Government had yet to issue an official response to Gombawa Motors’ allegations of political intimidation, maintaining through the management of the Mega Park that the company’s expulsion was in line with established operational rules.