A Nigerian lawmaker, Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai, has criticised what he described as an “illegal and dictatorial” move by party figures in Yobe State to impose a consensus candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
In a statement, the senator said the decision undermines the official timetable set by the All Progressives Congress (APC), which began the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms on 25 April and is scheduled to close on 4 May 2026.
According to him, the announcement of a consensus candidate on 29 April—before the close of nominations—effectively sidelines other aspirants who may still be seeking to enter the race within the approved timeframe.
He argued that such a move contradicts Nigeria’s electoral framework, including the Constitution and the Electoral Act, as well as the guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“This action suggests that regardless of the party’s official process, certain individuals have predetermined the outcome,” he said, warning that it could discourage participation and weaken internal democracy within the party.
The senator also pointed to the APC’s own rules governing consensus arrangements. These, he said, require that all aspirants be screened and cleared before any consensus process begins, and that participation must be voluntary, with each aspirant formally consenting in writing to withdraw and support an agreed candidate.
He maintained that these conditions had not been met in the Yobe case, describing the development as a violation of party guidelines and a setback for fairness and inclusiveness.
The APC leadership in Yobe State has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions within political parties in Nigeria over candidate selection processes, particularly the use of consensus arrangements, which critics say can be used to sideline competition.
