A former minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has rejected the adoption of Jamilu Gwamna as Gombe APC governorship candidate in the 2027 election.
Earlier on Sunday, Governor Inuwa Yahaya led the stakeholders to endorse Mr Gwamna.
In a statement signed by Professor Suleiman Mohammed on belhalf of Pantamiyya Movement, the former minister said adoption of Mr Gwamna violates Electoral Act 2026.
“While Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, CON was in Abuja today evening, we heard about the emergence of a coronation which is called a “consensus” for all the elective positions in Gombe State.
“Legally, there can be no valid consensus without involving the aspirants who have obtained or completed their expression of interest and nomination forms.
“We advise all our supporters to remain calm and law-abiding. However, the total disregard for the provisions of the law cannot be ignored by us.
“The Nigeria Electoral Act, 2026, outlines the modes of nomination in Section 84 (2):
“Political parties are restricted to only two methods for selecting candidates in which coronation is not among them. The two methods are:
“1) Consensus: A candidate may emerge if all cleared aspirants provide written consent to step down. If even one aspirant refuses, the party must revert to a direct primary.
“2) Direct Primaries: Every registered party member has the right to vote directly for their preferred aspirant.
“The action is completely contrary to the provisions of the law, the directive of the National Party, and the instruction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
“We urge our supporters to get ready for direct primaries after addressing major challenges in the APC database in the state. Our legal team is also working on addressing the challenges and observations.
“May Allah bless Gombe State and may Allah bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Thank you all,” the statement said.
