The All Progressives Congress has cleared Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, governor of Gombe State, to contest the Gombe North Senatorial District seat in the party's upcoming primary elections. He appeared before the APC Senatorial Screening Committee on Friday at Plateau House in Abuja, where the screening was conducted under the leadership of the party's National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda. Yahaya was among a group of sitting governors under the APC platform who participated in the exercise. The committee did not subject the governors to rigorous screening, citing their prior compliance with party and constitutional requirements. Professor Yilwatda stated that the party has full confidence in the leadership credentials of its sitting governors. "Having satisfied all the necessary requirements, you are hereby requested to take a bow and go," he said. A statement from Yahaya's spokesman, Ismaila Uba Misilli, confirmed the governor's clearance and described him as the consensus candidate on the APC platform. Misilli added that Yahaya brings proven leadership credentials and an impressive record of performance into the senatorial race. The screening event took place in the presence of other APC governors seeking re-election or senatorial tickets. The party's decision underscores a pattern of deference to incumbent governors within the APC structure ahead of the primaries.
Professor Nentawe Yilwatda waived rigorous screening for Governor Yahaya while other aspirants may face tougher scrutiny, creating an uneven playing field. The clearance reinforces Yahaya's political advantage despite the lack of public debate on eligibility. This move benefits Yahaya directly by fast-tracking his Senate bid without challenge. Other APC members in Gombe North must now contend with a cleared incumbent whose path was smoothed by party leadership.
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