‘We Will Fight The Injustice’ — Pantami Challenges Gombe APC Consensus Governorship Candidate Choice

Former Minister of Communications and governorship aspirant in Gombe State under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Isa Ali Pantami, has vowed to pursue all legal means to challenge the emergence of the party’s consensus governorship candidate for 2027 elections, describing the process as flawed and contrary to established guidelines.

The controversy followed the announcement by incumbent Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya naming Dr. Jamilu Isiyaku Gwamna as the preferred APC’s governorship candidate of the ruling party through what was described as a consensus arrangement following a stakeholder meeting.

But, reacting to the development, Pantami, who was initially touted as the preferred choice, in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, maintained that the the arrangement that led to Gwamna’s choice did not meet the requirements of a valid consensus.

“By God’s truth, in terms of justice, what happened in Gombe State cannot be called a consensus. Consensus means that everyone agrees,” he said.

According to him, specific conditions must be fulfilled before a consensus arrangement can be deemed legitimate.

“First, everyone involved must personally agree to the outcome. Second, even those who are absent must have representatives acting on their behalf.

“Third, there must be an agreement which complies with the the law and none of these three conditions were fulfilled, so it cannot be called consensus.”

Pantami further alleged that the process violated provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act and recalled a prior meeting between the governor and governorship aspirants.

“We met once, and the governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, promised fairness and suggested that a consensus option could be considered.

“If that failed, then a direct primary would be conducted. As part of the consensus process, guidelines were supposed to be drafted, but none of us ever saw them.”

He stressed that any credible consensus process must involve an independent and neutral body.

“If you want consensus, you must appoint an independent committee with no bias or interest toward any aspirant and give them full authority.”

The former minister also alleged irregularities in the invitation process to the meeting where the consensus decision was taken.

“We were given very short notice less than 20 hours. By the time we saw it and began preparations, it was already too late to attend. We even sent a written message requesting more time, especially since the meeting was said to be a continuation of an earlier consensus discussion. We wanted to be present to ensure fairness.

“The meeting was then moved to Sunday, but no one informed us that a final decision would be made that day.”

Pantami reiterated his readiness to participate in a direct primary election, arguing that such a system better reflects grassroots support within the party.

“Those who fear direct primaries in Nigeria do so because they lack grassroots support. Anyone who is prepared and knows the masses and party members are behind him has nothing to fear.”

He insisted that his demand was rooted in fairness and justice, warning that any perceived injustice would be strongly contested within the bounds of the law.

“What we demand is fairness. If injustice is done, we will fight it to the highest level. You will witness a struggle against injustice unlike any seen before in Nigeria,” Pantami declared.