A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, has rejected the emergence of Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna as the party’s consensus candidate for the 2027 election. Stakeholders of the party had earlier endorsed Mr Gwamna after a meeting presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya on Sunday.
However, a post on Professor Pantami’s verified Facebook page has described the emergence of Mr Gwamna as a coronation rather than a valid consensus.
The statement, signed by Professor Pantami’s aide, Suleiman Mohammed, argued that there can be no valid consensus without involving the aspirants who have completed their expression of interest and nomination forms. Mohammed quoted the Nigeria Electoral Act, 2026, which outlines two methods for selecting candidates, adding that coronation is not among them.
He explained that a candidate may emerge via consensus only if all cleared aspirants provide written consent to step down, and if even one aspirant refuses, the party must revert to a direct primary.
Also Read: APC Endorses Oyebanji as Consensus Candidate for Ekiti Governorship Election
Mohammed stated that the action was contrary to the provisions of the law, the directive of the APC, and the instruction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He has advised Professor Pantami’s supporters to remain calm and law-abiding while noting that they will not ignore what he described as the total disregard for the provisions of the law. The aide also said their legal team is working on addressing the challenges and observations regarding the party’s database in the state.
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