Pantami Withdraws from Gombe APC Governorship Primaries Over Alleged Electoral Violations
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Gombe State, citing alleged violations of the Electoral Act 2026 and failure by party officials to provide conditions necessary for a credible primary process.
Pantami announced his withdrawal in a statement issued by Barrister Ibrahim M. Attahir on behalf of the Pantamiyya Movement.
The former minister said his decision followed extensive consultations with stakeholders and careful assessment of developments surrounding the APC direct primaries in the state.
According to the statement, Pantami participated fully in the governorship process out of loyalty to the APC after accepting appeals from party leaders, youths, women groups and other stakeholders urging him to contest for the state’s top seat.
The statement noted that Pantami complied with all party requirements and procedures and was the only governorship aspirant represented at the Peace Accord meeting organised by the Nigeria Police Force, Gombe State Command, on May 14, 2026.
It added that his representative was also the only aspirant’s delegate who signed the peace accord during the event.
Despite this, the Pantamiyya Movement alleged that the APC leadership repeatedly failed to provide critical information relating to the conduct of the direct primaries.
According to the statement, several letters sent by Pantami’s solicitors to relevant organs of the party seeking clarification on procedures, accreditation, collation centres and other operational details were neither acknowledged nor responded to.
“In a democracy, the law must guide the process. Non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 and the party guidelines renders the exercise unsafe and illegitimate,” the statement said.
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The movement further alleged that no actual election took place during the recent National Assembly direct primaries conducted in Gombe State on May 16 and 18, 2026, claiming that many aspirants were not informed about voting venues, accreditation procedures or collation arrangements before results were announced.
The statement maintained that Pantami’s political strength lies in his grassroots support base, particularly among youths and women, but alleged that ordinary party members were sidelined in the recent primaries.
It also claimed that despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s insistence on credible and transparent direct primaries, the directives were allegedly not implemented in Gombe State.
“Prof. Pantami had requested details on the time and place for accreditation of agents and observers, the procedures for accreditation, voting and collation, and the location of collation centres. This information should have been provided to all aspirants without being solicited. As of this moment, nothing has been provided,” the statement added.
Pantami expressed appreciation to supporters, especially youths who reportedly raised funds through crowdfunding to purchase his expression of interest and nomination forms.
The movement disclosed that donations from supporters ranged between ₦5,000 and ₦4 million, with contributors publicly sharing receipts online.
The former minister also thanked women groups, coordinators at ward and local government levels, elders, campaign officials and members of the Campaign Coordinating Committee for their support and loyalty throughout the process.
He urged his supporters to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, stressing that democracy must be anchored on the rule of law, peace and security.
The statement added that the Pantamiyya Movement would communicate its next political direction and future plans to supporters and followers across Gombe State and the country in due course.
“All followers, admirers and supporters of Malam Pantami are to remain united for the next alignment and realignment in the political space,” the statement said.
Pantami’s withdrawal is expected to significantly reshape political calculations within the APC ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State, given his strong support base among youths and grassroots mobilisers.
By PRNigeria
