The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State has endorsed a retired senior police officer, Mohammed Ahmadu Deba, as its consensus candidate for the Gombe Central senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Deba, a former Deputy Commissioner of Police, emerged following a high-level stakeholders’ meeting led by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya. The gathering brought together party leaders and aspirants to agree on a unified list of candidates across various elective positions in the state.
Party officials described the consensus arrangement as a strategic move aimed at strengthening internal cohesion and presenting a united front ahead of the next election cycle. Alongside the senatorial nomination, the meeting also ratified candidates for governorship, House of Representatives, and state assembly positions.
Governor Yahaya, who presided over the discussions, emphasized that the decision followed extensive consultations among party stakeholders. According to him, the move reflects a shared commitment to stability and continuity within the party’s ranks.
However, the decision has not been without controversy.
Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje, who currently represents Gombe Central and is seeking another term, has openly rejected the consensus outcome. In a statement released through his aide, Goje criticized the process, arguing that it excluded several legitimate aspirants and failed to meet the standards required by law.
“The purported consensus meeting involved only a limited number of participants and did not include all duly recognised aspirants within the party,” the statement said.
Goje further insisted that the method used does not align with the provisions of Nigeria’s Electoral Act. He stressed that candidate selection must follow legally approved procedures to ensure transparency and fairness.
“The provisions of the Electoral Act have clearly stipulated lawful methods for the nomination of candidates. These must be strictly adhered to in order to ensure legality and credibility,” he stated.
The senator also pointed out that several aspirants who had purchased nomination forms were not part of the meeting where the decision was made, raising concerns about inclusiveness.
He maintained that direct primary elections, supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), remain the appropriate method for selecting candidates under the current circumstances.
The development highlights growing tensions within the APC in Gombe State, as efforts to streamline candidate selection through consensus continue to face resistance from within.
Political observers say the disagreement could test party unity in the lead-up to the 2027 elections, particularly if unresolved disputes escalate into legal challenges or parallel candidacies.
As preparations for the next general elections gather pace, how the APC manages internal dissent in key states like Gombe may prove critical to its broader electoral strategy.
