Political Turmoil Surrounds Ali Pantami’s Party Membership in Gombe State
A new controversy has emerged in Gombe State regarding the political affiliation of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Ali Pantami. This situation has sparked conflicting claims from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) concerning his party membership status.
The debate intensified after Pantami was announced as the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming 2027 general elections, following Jamil Gwamuna’s selection as the APC candidate.
The PDP’s Gombe State branch asserts that Pantami has officially resigned from the APC and is now a legitimate member of their party. In contrast, the APC contends that he continues to be a member, alleging that proper protocol was not followed during his resignation.
During a press conference in Gombe, APC Public Relations Secretary Moses Kyari stated that the executive committee in Pantami’s ward has neither received nor acknowledged any resignation letter from him. “As you may recall, 25 out of 27 members of the Ward Executive Committee have publicly declared they have not seen or dealt with any resignation letter supposedly submitted by Professor Ali Isa Pantami,” Kyari remarked. He described the allegations as fabrications created without the knowledge or consent of the district executive committee.
Kyari further disclosed that Alhaji Bala Garda, the District Commissioner, indicated that although the resignation letter was dated May 19, it was not received until May 23, 2026, and was delivered by an individual identified as Abba Pantami. He noted, “Despite repeated requests, the District Executive Committee members have not been provided with a copy of the resignation letter.”
In accordance with the APC’s Constitution and the regulations set by the Independent National Electoral Commission, Kyari maintained that Pantami remains an APC member until all formal processes are completed and confirmed. He emphatically stated, “It is our position that Professor Ali Isa Pantami remains a member of the APC until all due processes have been properly followed and verified.”
Additionally, Kyari refuted claims made by Pantami during a television interview on TVC that he had received President Bola Tinubu’s endorsement for his switch to the PDP. “We categorically reject this allegation. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown unwavering loyalty to the APC, and it is hard to believe he would support actions that undermine the party’s integrity,” Kyari asserted. He called for the APC’s national leadership and the President’s Office to publicly address the matter to prevent misinformation.
In response, the PDP swiftly dismissed the APC’s assertions, with state spokesperson Abdulkadir Duku stating that Pantami had met all the constitutional and legal criteria necessary to join the opposition party. “We affirm that Professor Pantami is a bona fide member of the Peoples Democratic Party and has complied with all the constitutional and legal conditions of membership,” the PDP emphasized. They insisted that they possess documentary evidence corroborating Pantami’s resignation from the APC.
The PDP claimed that the APC Chairman of Pantami Ward personally acknowledged the resignation letter on May 19, 2026, and that the letter subsequently gained traction on social media. The opposition parties criticized the APC for holding repeated press conferences regarding the issue, stating, “This is the third time the APC has addressed this matter, despite the facts being clear and well-documented.” They urged the ruling party to concentrate on preparing for the impending elections rather than engaging in what they termed distractions.
The PDP underscored that the constitution and electoral law enshrine the right to freedom of association. “If the APC has doubts about its candidate, it should resolve its internal issues rather than insisting that Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami remain with them. After all, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act guarantee freedom of association,” the PDP stated emphatically.
They further noted that the APC has the opportunity to decide on its candidacy during the electoral process if they believe their candidate isn’t fit to compete against Pantami. Reiterating their stance ahead of the elections, the PDP expressed commitment to focused, issue-driven campaigns and aims to provide credible leadership to the people of Gombe State.
