Senator representing Gombe Central, Muhammad Danjuma Goje, has dismissed the consensus arrangement adopted by the Gombe State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 senatorial race.
Party stakeholders had reportedly endorsed a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ahmadu Deba, as the consensus candidate during a meeting presided over by Governor Inuwa Yahaya.
However, in a statement issued by his aide, Barrister Saidu Muazu Kumo, Goje—who is seeking a fifth term in the Senate—argued that the meeting did not involve all recognised aspirants within the party.
He maintained that the process leading to the endorsement lacked broad participation, noting that several aspirants who had duly obtained nomination forms were excluded from the arrangement.
Citing provisions of the Electoral Act, the senator stressed that political parties are required to adopt lawful procedures for candidate nomination ahead of elections, insisting that such processes must be transparent and inclusive.
According to him, the law provides clear guidelines for candidate selection, which must be followed to ensure credibility in the electoral process.
The statement further indicated that, in line with existing electoral regulations, the nomination of candidates should be conducted through direct primary elections under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant security agencies.
Goje also cautioned against the imposition of candidates, describing such practices as inconsistent with Nigeria’s electoral framework.
