The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has released the final list of candidates cleared for the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency bye-election.
The commission published the list in a statement signed by its Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, and obtained in Gombe on Thursday.
The Gombe bye-election follows the death of the constituency’s former representative, Hon. Yaya Bauchi Tongo, on June 12, 2026.
According to the INEC document, four political parties have candidates on the final list.
Yaya Alfa Muhammad will contest under the Allied Peoples Party, APP, while Kallamu Usman Maijama’a is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Gaddafi Haruna is listed as the candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, while Abdulkarim Abdulmajib will represent the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP.
The qualifications listed for the candidates include First School Leaving Certificate, Senior Secondary School Certificate, National Certificate in Education, bachelor’s degree and doctorate qualifications.
The Gombe bye-election became necessary following Tongo’s death at an Abuja hospital after a brief illness.
Tongo died on June 12, 2026, after representing the federal constituency in the House of Representatives.
The House subsequently declared the seat vacant on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen made the declaration in accordance with the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The action formally notified INEC of the vacancy and opened the way for the commission to organise a bye-election within the period prescribed by law.
The House leadership also stressed the importance of maintaining legislative representation for residents of Gombe, Kwami and Funakaye local government areas.
Before his death, Tongo represented the constituency on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
He served as Chairman of the Nigeria-United Arab Emirates Parliamentary Friendship Group in the House of Representatives.
His previous political roles included Chairman of Funakaye Local Government Area and Special Adviser to the Gombe State Government.
He also served as a member of the Gombe State House of Assembly before moving to the National Assembly.
Following his death, the Speaker expressed condolences to the Gombe State Government, constituents of Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye and Tongo’s family.
The Gombe bye-election is expected to determine the constituency’s next representative after the electoral process is completed.
