Pantami clinches Gombe PDP governorship ticket after dumping APC

Former Communications and Digital Economy Minister, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, has secured the governorship ticket for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State ahead of the 2027 elections. He was affirmed as the sole aspirant by the PDP Electoral Panel Chairman, Gregory Yenlong, during a primary election held in the state capital.

Pantami expressed his commitment to serving the people of Gombe with fairness and justice, pledging that his administration would prioritize equity and good governance if he wins the election. He is expected to face Jamilu Gwamna, the candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

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I declare Prof. Isa Aliu Pantami the duly elected and sole gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in the state.

The move follows Pantami's withdrawal from the APC governorship primary election just last week. He cited alleged violations of the Electoral Act and irregularities within the APC's electoral process as reasons for his departure. Pantami had opposed the consensus process that led to Gwamna's emergence as the APC flagbearer.

However, Pantami's entry into the PDP race has drawn criticism from four PDP governorship aspirants. They raised concerns about the legality of a candidate defecting from one party to another and then contesting the same election after votes had already been cast in their favor in the previous party's primaries. The aspirants, including Alhaji Abdulkadir Hamma Saleh, Hon. Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, Hon. Usman Aliyu Garry, and Mrs Monica Kaltho, issued a communiqué stating their objection to such a move, despite welcoming new members to the PDP.

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I contested for the seat to offer service to the people of the state. If I am elected, I promise that my administration will prioritise equity and good governance.