Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje, representing Gombe Central Senatorial District, has rejected the consensus arrangement adopted by the Gombe State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Daily Trust reports that party stakeholders, during a Sunday meeting presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, endorsed DCP Mohammed Ahmadu Deba (Rtd) as the APC’s consensus candidate for Goje’s seat.
In a statement issued by his aide, Barr. Saidu Muazu Kumo, Goje, who is seeking a record fifth term in the Senate, said the purported consensus meeting involved only Governor Yahaya and a limited number of aspirants, “and did not include all duly recognized aspirants withinA the party.”
He noted that the Electoral Act clearly stipulates two lawful methods for political parties to nominate candidates for submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“These methods must be strictly adhered to in order to ensure legality and transparency in the electoral process,” the statement read.
Kumo added that several aspirants across various constituencies have validly purchased Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms and were not participants in the consensus arrangement held at the Government House.
He said that in line with the current 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 stated that any form of imposition of candidates by political parties is inconsistent with, and contrary to, the provisions of the current electoral laws in Nigeria.
