A former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and governorship aspirant in Gombe State, Professor Isa Pantami, has dismissed the reported consensus arrangement of the All Progressives Congress in the state, describing it as non-inclusive and inconsistent with the law.
Pantami’s stance was communicated in a statement released on Sunday by Professor Suleiman Mohammed on behalf of supporters and members of the Pantamiyya Movement.
According to the statement, the former minister was in Abuja when news of what it described as a “coronation” presented as a consensus for elective positions in the state surfaced.
“While Professor Isa Ali Pantami was in Abuja this evening, we heard about the emergence of a coronation which is called a ‘consensus’ for all the elective positions in Gombe State,” the statement posted on the ex-minister’s X handle read.
Mohammed argued that the process did not satisfy legal standards, stressing that no valid consensus could be achieved without the participation and approval of all aspirants who had obtained and completed their nomination forms.
“Legally, there can be no valid consensus without involving the aspirants who have obtained or completed their expression of interest and nomination forms,” he added.
The group, however, urged supporters to remain calm and law-abiding despite what it described as a disregard for due process.
It further referenced provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, noting that Section 84(2) outlines recognised methods for the nomination of candidates by political parties.
Mohammed explained, “Consensus: A candidate may emerge if all cleared aspirants provide written consent to step down. If even one aspirant refuses, the party must revert to a direct primary.
“Direct primaries: Every registered party member has the right to vote directly for their preferred aspirant.”
He maintained that the alleged consensus arrangement violated the law, directives of the party’s national leadership, and instructions of President Bola Tinubu.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” the statement added.
The group called on its supporters to prepare for direct primaries, noting that its legal team was already working to address identified challenges, including issues related to the party’s membership database in the state.
