A support group loyal to former minister Isa Pantami has criticised the consensus arrangement adopted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State for the 2027 elections.
The group, known as the Pantamiyya Movement, announced its position after the APC unveiled Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus governorship candidate. Gwamna was selected ahead of Pantami.
The party had said the decision followed a stakeholders’ meeting led by Governor Inuwa Yahaya. The governor is the APC leader in the state. Ismaila Misilli, director-general of press affairs at the Government House, confirmed the development in a statement.
He noted that the meeting also endorsed candidates for the senate, the house of representatives, and the state house of assembly. He said 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.”
The Pantamiyya Movement rejected the outcome. In a statement posted on Pantami’s official X handle, 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.”
Suleiman Mohammed signed the statement on behalf of the group. He stated, “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 maintained that a lawful consensus must involve all aspirants who purchased and completed nomination forms. It argued that such aspirants must give written consent before any candidate can emerge through consensus.
It referred to provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026. It said political parties are limited to two methods of selecting candidates “in which coronation is not among them”.
The group explained that consensus requires agreement among all aspirants. It added that where any aspirant refuses to step down, the party must conduct a direct primary. In that case, registered members of the party vote for their preferred candidate.
The Pantamiyya Movement called on its supporters to remain peaceful. It urged them to prepare for a possible direct primary after issues affecting the APC membership database in the state are addressed. It also said its legal team is examining the matter.
