Professor Isa Ali Pantami, governorship aspirant in Gombe State under the All Progressives Congress (APC), has rejected the naming of Jamilu Isiyaku Gwamna as the party's consensus governorship candidate. Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya announced Gwamna's emergence at the weekend, a move Pantami claims lacked due process. In an interview with BBC Hausa, Pantami stated that true consensus requires unanimous agreement, representation of absent members, and compliance with the law—none of which, he said, were met. He cited violations of the 2026 Electoral Act and referenced a prior meeting where Governor Yahaya reportedly promised fairness and suggested a direct primary if consensus failed. Pantami claimed no guidelines for consensus were shared with aspirants. He alleged the meeting that produced Gwamna was scheduled with less than 20 hours' notice and that his team's request for more time was ignored. Though the meeting was moved to Sunday, Pantami said no one informed aspirants a final decision would be made that day. He reiterated support for a direct primary, saying those who oppose it lack grassroots backing. "What we demand is fairness. If injustice is done, we will fight it to the highest level," Pantami said. In a statement signed by his aide Suleiman Mohammed, he described Gwamna's emergence as a "coronation" and said it violated APC guidelines and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's directives. Pantami urged supporters to remain calm and law-abiding while legal processes unfold.
Pantami claims Governor Yahaya promised a fair process and fallback to direct primary, yet Gwamna was named without aspirants' agreement. The claim that consensus rules were broken while a prior commitment to fairness was made creates a direct contradiction in the governor's actions. If consensus required inclusive guidelines and representation, and neither was provided, the process undermines the aspirants who had formally entered the race. Pantami's demand for direct primary now hinges on whether the party upholds its own stated procedures.
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