Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje, representing Gombe Central Senatorial District, has rejected the consensus arrangement adopted by the Gombe State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 elections.
He insisted that the process violated provisions of the Electoral Act governing candidate nominations.
Recalls that party stakeholders, during a meeting presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya on Sunday, endorsed retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ahmadu Deba, as the party’s consensus candidate for Goje’s senatorial seat.
However, in a statement issued by his aide, Barrister Saidu Muazu Kumo, Goje, who is seeking a record fifth term in the Senate, distanced himself from the arrangement, describing the process as flawed and exclusionary.
“The purported consensus meeting involved only Governor Yahaya and a limited number of aspirants, and did not include all duly recognised aspirants within the party,” the statement read.
The former Gombe State governor insisted that the process violated provisions of the Electoral Act governing candidate nominations.
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“The provisions of the Electoral Act have clearly stipulated two lawful methods for the nomination of candidates by political parties for submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said.
“These methods must be strictly adhered to in order to ensure legality and transparency in the electoral process.”
He further noted that several aspirants had already purchased Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms but were excluded from the meeting.
“It is further noteworthy that across the various electoral constituencies, several aspirants have validly purchased their Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms, and were not participants in the said consensus arrangement held at the Government House,” he added.
Kumo emphasised that, in line with existing electoral laws, the nomination process must follow due procedure.
“In accordance with the extant electoral framework, the nomination process shall be conducted through direct primary elections, which are to be duly monitored by INEC and relevant security agencies, on a date to be slated by the party,” he said.
He warned that any attempt to impose candidates would be illegal.
“Any form of imposition of candidates by political parties is inconsistent with, and contrary to, the provisions of the current electoral laws in Nigeria,” the statement stressed.
The development adds to growing tension within the APC in Gombe State over the adoption of consensus candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
Earlier, one of the party’s governorship aspirants, Isa Ali Pantami, also rejected the endorsement of Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna as the APC’s consensus candidate.
Pantami had argued that consensus could only be valid if all aspirants willingly agreed to step down.
“Legally, there can be no valid consensus without involving the aspirants who have obtained or completed their expression of interest and nomination forms,” he said.
Citing the Electoral Act, he maintained that only two methods of candidate selection are recognised.
“In Section 84 (2), political parties are restricted to only two methods for selecting candidates. The two methods are consensus, where all aspirants agree in writing, and direct primaries,” he explained.
“If even one aspirant refuses, the party must revert to a direct primary.”
Pantami also urged his supporters to remain calm while legal steps are being considered.
“We will not ignore what is a total disregard for the provisions of the law,” he said.
