APC, PDP trade words over Pantami’s political membership status

A political controversy has erupted in Gombe State, Nigeria, over the party affiliation of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Ali Pantami. Conflicting claims have emerged from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) regarding Pantami's membership status, particularly following his reported emergence as the PDP's governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The Gombe State chapter of the PDP asserts that Pantami has officially resigned from the APC and is now a legitimate member of their party. However, the APC maintains that Pantami is still affiliated with their party, arguing that the proper procedures for his resignation were not followed. Moses Kyari, the APC Publicity Secretary in Gombe, stated that the party's ward executive committee in Pantami Ward had confirmed they neither received nor deliberated on any resignation letter from the former minister.

“

As you may recall, 25 out of the 27 members of the ward executive committee publicly stated that they neither saw nor deliberated on any resignation letter purportedly submitted by Professor Ali Isa Pantami. They maintained that the claim was merely a fabrication orchestrated without the knowledge or approval of the ward executive committee.

Kyari further elaborated that 25 out of the 27 ward executive members publicly disavowed the resignation claim, calling it a fabrication. He noted that the alleged resignation letter was dated May 19 but received on May 23, and that the ward committee had not been provided with a copy despite requests. The APC insists that, according to party constitution, INEC guidelines, and electoral laws, Pantami remains an APC member until all due processes are completed and verified.

“

It is, therefore, our position that Professor Ali Isa Pantami remains a member of the APC until all due processes are properly followed and verified.

Additionally, the APC has strongly refuted claims attributed to Pantami in a televised interview, suggesting that his move to the PDP and his governorship aspirations had the backing of President Bola Tinubu. "We categorically reject this assertion," Kyari stated. "President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a committed leader of the APC and has consistently demonstrated loyalty to the party." The APC has called upon the national leadership and the Presidency to issue a public clarification to prevent misinformation.

In response, the PDP state Public Relations Officer issued a statement, though its content was not fully detailed in the provided text, indicating a continued back-and-forth between the two parties on the matter.

“

We categorically reject this assertion. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a committed leader of the APC and has consistently demonstrated loyalty to the party. It is difficult to believe that the President would endorse activities that are contrary to the interests and unity of the APC.