A group loyal to Isa Pantami has rejected the consensus arrangement adopted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State ahead of the 2027 elections.
The group, known as the Pantamiyya Movement, faulted the decision shortly after the party named Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus governorship candidate. Gwamna was chosen ahead of Pantami, a former minister of communications and digital economy.
The APC had announced the decision through a statement issued by Ismaila Misilli, director-general of press affairs at the Gombe Government House. He said the outcome followed an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting chaired by Governor Inuwa Yahaya, who leads the party in the state.
Misilli also stated that the meeting approved consensus candidates for the senate, house of representatives, and all 24 constituencies in the state house of assembly. He explained that the process followed “extensive consultations spearheaded by the governor and party stakeholders, aimed at deepening internal cohesion, minimising friction, and projecting a united front ahead of the elections.”
However, the Pantamiyya Movement disagreed with the arrangement. In a statement shared on Pantami’s official X page, the group said the action of the Gombe APC “is completely contrary to the provisions of the law, the directive of the National Party, and the instruction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
The statement was signed by Suleiman Mohammed on behalf of members of the movement. It read, “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.”
The group argued that a valid consensus can only happen when all aspirants who purchased and completed nomination forms agree to step down in writing. It cited provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, to support its position.
According to the movement, political parties have only two recognised methods for choosing candidates “in which coronation is not among them”.
It explained that one option is consensus, which requires full agreement among aspirants. The other option is a direct primary. In that case, every registered party member votes for a candidate if any aspirant refuses to withdraw.
The group urged its supporters to remain calm. It said they should prepare for direct primaries after resolving issues related to the APC membership database in the state. It also disclosed that its legal team is reviewing the situation.
