Senator representing Gombe Central Senatorial District, Muhammad Danjuma Goje has opposed the consensus arrangement adopted by Gombe State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At a meeting on Sunday presided over by Governor Inuwa Yahaya, it was reported that stakeholders of the party adopted retired DCP Mohammed Ahmadu Deba as the APC consensus candidate for Goje’s seat.
In a statement issued by his aide, Barr. Saidu Muazu Kumo, Goje, who is seeking a fifth term in the Senate, faulted the arrangement.
The senator said the purported consensus meeting involved only the governor and few aspirants.
He said the meeting “did not include all duly recognised aspirants within the party”.
He said several aspirants had validly bought their expression of interest and nomination forms but were not part of the consensus arrangement held at the Government House.
Electoral Act cites Goje
“The provisions of the Electoral Act on how political parties can nominate candidates for submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 general elections are very clear,” Goje said.
“Strict adherence to these methods is necessary for the legality and transparency of the electoral process,” he said.
Kumo said the nomination process should be through direct primaries monitored by INEC and relevant security agencies on a date to be fixed by the party in line with the electoral framework.
The senator maintained that any attempt to foist candidates on the party was not in tandem with the current electoral laws in Nigeria.
He argued that all duly recognized aspirants should be allowed to take part in a transparent nomination process.
