The eviction of Gombawa Motors Nigeria Limited from the Ibrahim Dankwambo Mega Park in Gombe State has ignited controversy, with supporters of the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party , PDP , Professor Isa Ali Pantami are alleging political persecution, while park authorities insist the action was solely based on operational infractions.
The transport company was issued a 24-hour quit notice on June 25, 2026, in a letter signed by the Managing Director of Principal Facilities Management Limited, Mayo Ani, directing it to vacate the state-owned facility.
According to the notice, the decision was reached by the Mega Park Management Committee following what it described as persistent violations of the park’s operational regulations, non-compliance with management directives, and complaints lodged by other transport operators.
The development, however, occurred barely two days after Gombawa Motors openly aligned with Pantami’s political movement ahead of the 2027 governorship race, fuelling speculation that the action may have been politically motivated.
Chairman of Gombawa Motors, Alhaji Ibrahim Mustafa, dismissed the allegations of misconduct, insisting that the company had always complied with directives issued by the management of the Mega Park.
Mustafa said the dispute intensified after some of the firm’s buses were hired by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for political engagements, noting that leasing vehicles to political parties, corporate organisations and private individuals forms part of the company’s legitimate business operations.
He maintained that Gombawa Motors had never previously endorsed any political figure but reserved the constitutional right to associate with and support any political cause it considered appropriate.
“We are businessmen, not law enforcement agents. Hiring out our buses is a commercial service available to everyone. The Constitution guarantees our freedom of association and political choice,” he said.
He further revealed that the company had repeatedly complied with relocation directives within the Mega Park over the years, a process he said cost the organisation millions of naira.
According to him, the decision by more than 2,000 drivers under the Gombawa Motors platform to identify with Pantami’s movement was reached collectively and should not attract punitive measures.
