Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has officially defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he emerged as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 Gombe State election.
Pantami secured the PDP ticket through a voice affirmation during the party’s governorship primary election held on Tuesday in Gombe State.
The Chairman of the PDP Electoral Panel, Hon. Gregory Yenlong, declared Pantami the sole aspirant and subsequently announced him as the party’s flag bearer for the forthcoming gubernatorial election.
Pantami Promises Fairness and Inclusive Leadership
Speaking shortly after his emergence, Pantami said his decision to contest for the governorship seat was driven by his desire to serve the people of Gombe State and contribute to the state’s development.
He pledged to provide leadership anchored on fairness, justice, accountability, and inclusive governance if elected governor in 2027.
According to him, the people of Gombe deserve transparent leadership capable of addressing key developmental challenges and improving the welfare of citizens across the state.
PDP Picks Pantami Despite Internal Opposition
Pantami’s emergence came amid controversy within the PDP following his recent exit from the APC.
Days before the primary election, four PDP governorship aspirants had raised concerns over alleged plans to “smuggle” Pantami into the PDP governorship race after he reportedly participated in APC processes.
The aggrieved aspirants — Alhaji Abdulkadir Hamma Saleh, Hon. Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, Hon. Usman Aliyu Garry, and Mrs. Monica Kaltho — argued that electoral laws and party ethics should not allow a politician to defect from one party to another after taking part in another party’s primary process.
In a communiqué issued after an emergency stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe, the aspirants stated that while the PDP welcomes new members, the party should not compromise internal democracy and due process.
However, PDP stakeholders eventually endorsed Pantami as the preferred candidate to challenge the ruling APC in the 2027 governorship election.
Pantami to Face APC Candidate Jamilu Gwamna
With his emergence as PDP candidate, Pantami is now set for a major political showdown against the APC governorship candidate, Jamilu Gwamna, in what analysts predict could become one of the most closely watched governorship contests in Northern Nigeria.
Before leaving the APC, Pantami had openly criticized the process that produced Gwamna as the consensus candidate of the ruling party.
Although he initially pushed for a transparent primary election within the APC, Pantami later withdrew from the race on the eve of the exercise, citing alleged irregularities and lack of transparency in the selection process.
Political Realignment Ahead of 2027
Pantami’s defection is expected to reshape the political landscape in Gombe State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political observers believe his popularity, academic background, and previous role in the federal cabinet could strengthen the PDP’s chances in the state, while also intensifying competition between the two major political parties.
The development has already generated widespread reactions among political stakeholders and residents, with many closely monitoring how the APC and PDP will strategize in the months leading to the election.