A FRESH political confrontation is brewing within the All Progressives Congress in Gombe State as Governor Inuwa Yahaya and supporters of former governor and serving senator, Danjuma Goje, appear headed for a showdown over the 2027 senatorial ticket for Gombe Central.
News Point Nigeria reports that the crisis followed the emergence of Mohammed Ahmadu Deba as the consensus candidate for Gombe Central Senatorial District, replacing the incumbent senator, Danjuma Goje, in a move that has sparked outrage among Goje’s loyalists and intensified political tensions within the party.
The development has triggered sharp reactions, deepened political divisions and set off fresh realignments within the APC as supporters of the former governor reject the consensus arrangement and insist that the process violated provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
Supporters of Senator Goje have openly rejected the decision, describing the process that produced the consensus candidate as flawed, controversial and legally questionable.
In a statement signed by Saidu Muazu Kumo, Goje’s camp alleged that the consensus meeting held at the Government House in Gombe excluded several duly recognised aspirants.
The group cited provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, insisting that only direct primaries or a consensus arrangement agreed to by all aspirants can produce legitimate candidates.
According to them, the exclusion of aspirants who had already purchased nomination forms renders the outcome invalid.
They warned that any attempt to impose a candidate would amount to a violation of electoral laws and a threat to internal democracy within the APC.
The development has further deepened political divisions within Gombe Central, particularly between Akko and Yamaltu-Deba local government areas.
Earlier, a high-powered delegation from Akko, made up of traditional rulers and political stakeholders, visited Governor Inuwa Yahaya at the Government House in Gombe.
While commending the governor’s administration, the delegation called for the rotation of the Gombe Central senatorial seat to Yamaltu-Deba in the interest of equity and fairness, noting that Akko has occupied the position since 2011.
Governor Yahaya reportedly described their position as a reflection of unity, justice and fairness and assured them that their concerns would be forwarded to the APC national leadership.
However, in a contrasting political move, another group of grassroots politicians from Akko declared support for the continuation of Senator Goje’s tenure in the Senate.
Speaking during a gathering at Shugleez Hall, the group insisted that there were no constitutional barriers preventing Goje from seeking re-election.
In a letter addressed to APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, the group argued that Goje’s political experience, influence and structure remain critical to the electoral fortunes of the party in the state.
Some constituents also dismissed the agitation for rotation, describing Goje as a seasoned politician with a strong track record and political relevance.
With both camps now firmly divided between advocates of rotation and supporters of continuity and with a disputed consensus arrangement already generating controversy, the battle for the Gombe Central senatorial ticket is rapidly emerging as a major test of internal democracy within the APC.
As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, many sources within the APC who spoke with News Point Nigeria believe the manner in which the ruling party manages the escalating rift could ultimately determine its unity, stability, and electoral strength in Gombe State.