What inspired your decision to contest for the Gombe governorship seat?
The inspiration came from years of interacting with people at the grassroots level. Over time, I realised that many of the challenges confronting our people require policy decisions and strong political will to solve. As a community worker, there is only so much you can do individually. But when you are in leadership, you can design systems and policies that affect millions positively. I have worked extensively with rural women and youths across the 11 local government areas of Gombe State. Through these interactions, I saw recurring problems — insecurity, unemployment, poor access to water, lack of opportunities for women, inadequate skills among graduates and the growing frustration among young people. I also noticed that many women feel excluded from governance and decision-making processes. At some point, I began to ask myself difficult questions. Why should leadership continue to remain disconnected from the realities of ordinary people? Why should young people continue to lose hope? Why should women remain underrepresented despite the enormous roles they play in society?
That was when I started developing a stronger interest in politics and governance. I believe politics should not only be about power; it should be about solving problems. I decided to step forward because I believe Gombe State deserves leadership that listens, leadership that innovates and leadership that genuinely carries everyone along.
What can you tell us about your educational journey?
Education has played an important role in my personal development. I attended Kesu Farin Bongo Primary School in Kaltanga from 1997 to 2002 before proceeding to Government Arts Secondary School, Gombe, where I studied from 2002 to 2008. After secondary school, I gained admission into the University of Jos, where I obtained a Diploma between 2009 and 2012. I later proceeded for my degree programme at the same institution from 2012 to 2016. Professionally, I am an Archivist but my interests have continued to evolve beyond conventional academics. I am currently pursuing a Master’s programme in Film Culture and Archival Studies, and I am also studying AI Prompt Engineering because I strongly believe the future belongs to societies that embrace technology and innovation. For me, education is not just about certificates. Education should empower people to think critically, solve problems and contribute meaningfully to society. That is one of the reasons I am passionate about reforming education in Gombe State if given the opportunity to serve.
You are considered young in the political space. Do you think your age could be a disadvantage?
I do not see my age as a disadvantage. In fact, I see it as one of my strengths. This month, I will be 37 years old, but leadership should not be measured only by age. Leadership should be measured by competence, vision, integrity and the ability to connect with the people. Young people today are not asking for leadership based on age alone; they are asking for leaders who understand their realities and are willing to innovate. Across the world, we have seen younger leaders transform societies because they brought fresh energy, creativity and bold thinking into governance. At the same time, I also believe experience matters, and I have spent over 20 years working directly with communities across Gombe State. My experience may not have come from holding political office, but it came from engaging with people daily, understanding their struggles and finding ways to support them. I have lived among the people all my life. I know their pains, their frustrations and their hopes. I understand what it means for a mother to worry about feeding her children. I understand the frustration of youths who graduate without jobs or opportunities. I understand the difficulties faced by rural communities lacking basic amenities. So, for me, this is not about age. It is about readiness, preparation and commitment to service.
What would you say are the major areas where the current administration has failed?
I believe every administration should be assessed honestly based on the realities on ground. One of the biggest concerns today is security. Despite various measures, farmers and rural communities still experience harassment and insecurity. This affects agricultural productivity and creates fear among citizens. I strongly believe we need to rethink our approach to security. The traditional method of relying heavily on static checkpoints has not solved the problem effectively. In many cases, people complain about extortion while criminals still find ways to operate. That is why I have proposed integrating drone surveillance and technology-driven intelligence gathering into security operations across the state. We cannot continue using outdated approaches while insecurity evolves. Technology can help us monitor forests, border communities and suspicious movements more effectively. Another major issue is water supply. It is unacceptable that people struggle to access clean water despite living in a state with enormous potential. In some areas, even wealthy residents find it difficult to access water consistently. Water is a basic necessity, not a luxury. Education is another area that requires urgent reform. We have too many graduates without practical skills. Our education system should not only produce people seeking jobs; it should also produce innovators, entrepreneurs and problem-solvers.
You have spoken strongly about skills acquisition. Why is this important to you?
It is important because the future is changing rapidly. The traditional idea of education where people simply memorise facts and obtain certificates is no longer enough. Today’s world demands practical skills, creativity and innovation. Many young graduates are unemployed not because they lack intelligence, but because the system did not equip them with relevant skills. We must begin to prepare our young people for the realities of the modern economy. If given the opportunity, I want to introduce practical learning from an early stage. Students should be exposed to vocational and technological skills such as coding, solar technology, drone repairs, AI innovation, agriculture and entrepreneurship. I also want to encourage local creativity and craftsmanship. Skills acquisition should not be looked down upon. A young person who acquires practical skills can become self-reliant, create jobs and contribute positively to society. The goal is to build a generation that is productive and confident rather than frustrated and dependent.
You have also talked about women inclusion. Why is this central to your vision?
Women are the backbone of society. We were all raised by women, and we know the sacrifices mothers make daily to keep families together. Yet, despite their contributions, women remain underrepresented in politics and governance. I believe women deserve greater opportunities, not as a favour, but because they have the capacity to contribute meaningfully to leadership and development. Women understand many of the challenges affecting families and communities because they experience them directly. When women are empowered, communities become stronger. When women participate in governance, policies become more inclusive and compassionate. I want to create a system where women are not afraid to aspire for leadership positions. At the same time, my vision is not about excluding men. It is about inclusion and balance. I want a government where everyone men, women and youths feels represented and valued.
Some people argue that women do not support one another politically. What is your response?
I disagree with that narrative. I believe it is often used as an excuse to justify excluding women from leadership positions. The truth is that women have always supported one another in many areas of life, from families to businesses and community organisations. What women need is opportunity and encouragement. Once women see that leadership spaces are genuinely open to them, they will participate more actively and support one another more confidently.
Interestingly, in this journey, I have received support not only from women but also from men who believe Gombe State needs a new direction. Many people are tired of politics that excludes fresh ideas and grassroots voices. This movement is not just about Monica Yahaya-Kaltho. It is about creating a more inclusive political culture where competence matters more than stereotypes.
What would be your priorities in the first 100 days if elected governor?
The first priority would be security because development cannot thrive where people feel unsafe. I would immediately begin implementing a technology-driven security framework using drone surveillance and intelligence gathering systems across strategic areas in the state. I want Gombe to become a state where criminals understand that they can no longer operate freely. We must move from reactive security to preventive security. Another immediate priority would be the water crisis. I intend to declare a state of emergency on water supply and begin immediate work on reviving the Dadin Kowa Water Treatment Plant while expanding infrastructure for water distribution. We cannot continue living in a situation where families struggle daily to access clean water. Access to water should be treated as a basic right. I would also prioritise youth empowerment programmes, especially in skills acquisition and entrepreneurship. Young people need opportunities, not empty promises.
You have proposed removing some existing policies. Why?
Leadership requires courage to review policies that are not working effectively. One of the things I intend to address is the overdependence on static checkpoints that many citizens complain about. Security personnel should focus more on intelligence gathering and active response rather than remaining permanently stationed on roads where people often complain of harassment or extortion. I also believe policies should balance security concerns with economic realities. For example, many young people depend on commercial motorcycle operations for survival. Rather than blanket restrictions that destroy livelihoods, I believe technology and proper regulation can provide better solutions. Governance should not unnecessarily make life harder for struggling citizens.
How confident are you about emerging as PDP’s governorship candidate?
I remain optimistic because I believe my aspiration resonates with many people across Gombe State. Over the years, I have built strong relationships with communities through humanitarian and grassroots engagement. I also believe the PDP remains a party with strong structures and democratic processes. Like every political party, challenges may arise, but I am confident those issues will be resolved. My focus now is to continue engaging with delegates, party stakeholders and ordinary citizens while presenting my vision for Gombe State. Ultimately, the party will decide, and I respect that process.
What message do you have for the people of Gombe State?
My message is simple: Gombe State can do better. We have intelligent youths, hardworking women and resilient communities. What we need is leadership that genuinely prioritises the people. I want the people to understand that this movement is about hope, inclusion and practical solutions. It is about building a state where every child has opportunities, where women feel safe and empowered, where young people can dream confidently and where communities have access to basic amenities. I also want citizens to embrace accountability. Leadership works best when the people remain actively involved and demand results. Democracy should not end after elections. Most importantly, I want young people and women to believe in themselves. They should never feel politics is reserved for a select few. Change becomes possible when ordinary people decide to participate and contribute. I believe Gombe State is ready for a new direction, and I am prepared to offer my experience, energy and commitment toward building a safer, more inclusive and more prosperous future for all.
Politics is expensive, especially governorship politics. How were you able to secure resources for your nomination form and campaign activities?
Politics is truly expensive, especially for women and young people who are not backed by powerful political structures or wealthy godfathers. But one thing I always tell people is that this movement is not built around money politics; it is built around people, relationships and years of trust that I have built with communities across Gombe State. First, I must appreciate the PDP leadership for encouraging women participation by granting waivers to female aspirants. That support alone reduced the burden significantly because female aspirants were only required to pay for the expression of interest form, which cost one million naira. That decision by the party encouraged many women to begin seeing politics as something they can participate in actively. Beyond that, the support I have received has largely come from ordinary people who believe in this vision. Some women groups, including the Gombe Women’s Agenda and other grassroots supporters, have stood strongly behind me. What encourages me most is that these are not just wealthy politicians or elite supporters. Many of them are ordinary women and young people who genuinely want to see change in Gombe State. Over the years, because of my humanitarian and community development work, I have built relationships with people in different communities. When people see consistency and sincerity in service, they begin to trust you. So, this aspiration is not something that started overnight. It is connected to years of engagement and service. I have seen women contribute small amounts simply because they believe one of their own should have a chance. I have seen youths volunteer their time and energy because they want a government that understands their struggles. Those things are even more valuable than money because they show genuine belief in the movement. For me, this is also about breaking barriers. Many women never even attempt politics because they immediately assume they cannot compete financially with men. But I believe if women continue to support one another and if political parties create more inclusive systems, more competent women will step forward. I also want to use this opportunity to encourage young people not to give up on politics simply because they are not wealthy. Leadership should not only belong to people with money. Democracy becomes healthier when ordinary citizens with ideas and passion can also participate meaningfully. At the same time, I believe politics in Nigeria must gradually move away from excessive monetisation. Elections should be more about ideas, competence and integrity rather than who can spend the most money. If politics becomes entirely commercialised, many credible young people and women will continue to be pushed aside. What gives me confidence is the growing support from citizens who are tired of old ways of doing things. Many people are beginning to understand that the future of Gombe State depends on bringing in leaders who understand grassroots realities and are willing to work differently.
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