Ali Pantami Defects To PDP, Wins Gombe Governorship Ticket For 2027 Election

Isa Pantami, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, has joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and emerged as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Gombe State.

Pantami secured the PDP ticket during the party’s governorship primary on Tuesday in Gombe through a voice affirmation process.

Announcing the outcome, Gregory Yenlong, chairman of the PDP electoral committee, said Pantami received strong support across the three senatorial zones in the state.

According to the committee, he polled 16,781 votes in Gombe North, 12,752 votes in Gombe Central, and 23,422 votes in Gombe South, giving him a total of 52,955 votes.

Yenlong then presented Pantami to party members as the PDP governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

“Therefore, by the guidelines of this election, it is my singular honour and privilege, members of the PDP, our elders, Prof. Isa Aliyu Ibrahim Pantami, who is therefore presented to you for affirmation,” he said.

After the announcement, Sambo Sa’adu moved a motion for Pantami’s adoption as the party’s candidate, while Bulus Maikori seconded the motion.

Speaking after emerging as the PDP flagbearer, Pantami said his decision to contest was driven by his desire to serve the people of Gombe State.

He promised to lead with justice, fairness, and inclusiveness if elected governor in 2027.

Pantami is expected to face Jamilu Gwamna of the All Progressives Congress (APC)  in the governorship election.

Before leaving the APC, Pantami had criticised the process that produced Gwamna as the party’s consensus governorship candidate.

The former minister had earlier pushed for direct primaries but later withdrew from the APC race shortly before the exercise, claiming the process lacked transparency.

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