2027: Goje, Pantami Lose Out As APC Picks Gwamna, Others As ‘Consensus Candidates’ In Gombe

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State has adopted Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 general election in the State.

The decision was reached on Sunday during an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting presided over by by the State governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.

At the meeting, party stakeholders also ratified other consensus candidates for the State’s three senatorial districts, six House of Representatives seats, and 24 State House of Assembly constituencies in the 2027 elections.

Among those adopted for the Senate seats were DCP Mohammed Ahmadu Deba (rtd) for Gombe Central, Hon. Jerry Damara for Gombe South, and incumbent Governor Yahaya for Gombe North.

For the House of Representatives seats, the party adopted Hon. Usman Bello Kumo for Akko Federal Constituency; Hon. Inuwa Garba for Yamaltu/Deba; Hon. Ali Isa JC for Balanga/Billiri; Hon. Fatima Binta Bello for Kaltungo/Shongom; Hon. Saddam Bello for Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye; and Hon. Jamilu Shabewa for Dukku/Nafada federal constituency.

The stakeholders’ meeting was attended by governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly aspirants, members of the State Working Committee, party elders, and other senior stakeholders, including the APC Deputy National Financial Secretary and North-East zonal officials.

According to the party, the adoption of consensus candidates followed extensive consultations led by Governor Yahaya with party elders, party executive members, aspirants and grassroots stakeholders, in a move aimed at strengthening internal cohesion, reducing friction and presenting a united front ahead of the 2027 elections.

LEADERSHIP reports that the development has apparently edged out a former governor of the State and incumbent Gombe Central Senator, Danjuma Goje, from the 2027 senatorial race in the State, while a popular Islamic cleric, who is the immediate-past Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Ibrahim Ali Pantami, who had been touted as the preferred governorship candidate of the incumbent Governor Yahaya, may have also lost out in the 2027 Gombe State governorship race.