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APC Fires Back At Pantami,Others Over Consensus Debacle
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State has defended its adoption of consensus candidates for the 2027 governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly elections, insisting that direct primaries remain available for any aspirant dissatisfied with the arrangement.
The party, in a statement by its State Publicity Secretary, Moses Kyari, said consensus was adopted in line with the APC constitution as a legitimate and preferred method for candidate emergence, stressing that the process was designed to promote party unity.
The clarification comes amid growing discontent among some aspirants over the recently announced consensus candidates, as the party seeks to calm tensions and rebut claims of exclusion.
Former Communication Minister, Isa Pantami had vowed to fight out what he described as injustice, even if it involves losing his life.
Report said that governorship aspirants, Pantami, the immediate former Transportation Minister Saidu Ahmed Alkali, and Senator Danjuma Goje, aspirant for Gombe Central senatorial zone, have rejected the consensus, which has not favoured them.
The ruling party in Gombe State on Sunday adopted Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus governorship candidate and ratified 33 lawmakers for the 2027 polls.
According to the APC, the adoption of consensus followed extensive consultations involving the Party Elders Committee, State Working Committee, State Executive Committee and all aspirants.
The party maintained that every aspirant was duly informed and invited to participate in the consensus-building process, but noted that some of those now objecting to the outcome had declined participation.
“It is surprising and disingenuous that individuals who voluntarily absented themselves from the process would now seek to question an outcome they refused to help shape,” Kyari said.
The APC, however, stressed that consensus was only the party’s first option and not a binding final decision, noting that aspirants who reject the arrangement are free to test their popularity through direct primary elections.
“Neither the Electoral Act nor the APC Constitution imposes consensus as a fait accompli. Where any aspirant disagrees with the consensus arrangement, the party has no alternative but to proceed with the direct primary option,” the party stated.
The development underscores efforts by the ruling party in Gombe to manage internal disagreements ahead of what is expected to be a keenly contested 2027 electoral cycle, while preserving cohesion within its ranks.
The APC also called on aspirants and their supporters to avoid inflammatory statements capable of undermining party unity, urging all stakeholders to rally behind the collective objective of victory at the polls.
Former Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has shared an amusing anecdote about the unique injury treatment preferred by his Nigerian ex-teammates, Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi.
Iheanacho and Ndidi became integral members of the Foxes squad after joining in 2017, playing a crucial role in the club’s historic 2021 FA Cup victory.
The duo shared a strong bond with Vardy during their time at the King Power Stadium, often engaging in light-hearted banter with their teammates.
Vardy, a Leicester City legend after 13 years with the club, departed last summer for Serie A side Cremonese. Iheanacho and Ndidi have also since moved on from the Foxes.
Speaking on a recent podcast, Vardy recounted how the Super Eagles stars had a peculiar remedy for minor injuries.
He explained that Iheanacho and Ndidi would insist on using a special “juju cream” brought back from Nigeria, refusing any other oils or balms offered by the club’s medical staff.
“They used to get injured, just little knocks, then they’d go back to Nigeria for one day literally, come back, and then they’ve got a nice big tub of juju cream,” Vardy said.
“That was the only thing that the masseuses were allowed to massage on the injured areas. They used to tell us that they used to get it from a Nigerian witch doctor.”
While Vardy’s story adds a humorous, if slightly controversial, layer to the players’ time at the club, the “juju cream” was likely part of a running joke.
Ndidi later clarified on social media that the substance was simply local shea butter, known as ‘ori’ in Nigeria.
Some aspirants loyal to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who failed to secure the All Progressives Congress (APC) tickets in the recently concluded National Assembly primaries, have approached the court to challenge the outcome of the exercise.
The aggrieved aspirants are challenging the APC National Working Committee (NWC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the results of the primaries and the list of candidates submitted by the party to the electoral body.
Report quoted sources within the party as saying the aspirants decided to seek judicial redress after expressing dissatisfaction with the outcome of the primaries.
The aspirants have reportedly engaged the services of the law firm of Remi Olatubora, SAN, to challenge the outcome of the exercise, the report also mentioned.
Those involved include Gbenga Elegbeleye (Ondo North Senatorial District), Dr Taiwo Fasoranti (Ondo Central Senatorial District), Leke Akingboye (Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency), Rasaq Obe (Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency), Kayode Ijalana (Owo/Ose Federal Constituency), Oyerinmade Matthew (Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency), and Olumuyiwa Daramola (Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency).
The legal action has reportedly generated concerns among some party stakeholders, who fear it could affect the APC’s preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has slammed the Federal Government over its gifts of houses to judges.
Speaking at the Housing TV Africa on Thursday, Falana demanded the provision of the law that stipulated such a gesture.
He charged the Federal Government to also build houses for university professors and other civil and public servants, noting that what is good for the goose is equally good for the gander.
“”We have got to a stage in the country where we have to challenge the special privileges given to the rich and top public officers in the country.
“I was very sad when I saw that the Federal Government was handing over the keys of houses to judges, and I asked myself, ‘Under what law are we operating?’ Because it’s discriminatory and illegal.
“You treat everyone equally in our country. So you can’t take out judges. Judges are entitled to accommodation by the way. They must live comfortably and we’ll secured.
“But, other citizens must be equally provided for. If you don’t do it, you can be challenged, and that is going to happen very soon because what is good for the goose is good for the gander,” he said.
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