Pantami Shuns Consensus Arrangement, Submits APC Governorship Nomination Form
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, has officially submitted his governorship nomination form at the national headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, despite the party’s consensus arrangement in Gombe State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The move comes days after the APC in Gombe State announced Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus governorship candidate following an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting reportedly convened under the leadership of Governor Inuwa Yahaya.
However, the development has been met with resistance from the Pantamiyya Movement, a support group loyal to Pantami, which rejected the arrangement. The group argued that it contradicts the APC constitution and undermines internal democracy.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Pantami described the selection process as undemocratic, insisting that the party should instead conduct direct primaries. He said he would challenge what he termed an injustice and support any candidate that emerges through a transparent process.
Confirming the submission on Pantami’s X account on Thursday, the statement revealed that members of his support group purchased and submitted the nomination form on his behalf at the APC national secretariat.
It read in part: “Professor Isa Ali Pantami has officially submitted his governorship nomination form for Gombe State, purchased for him by youths whose lives have been positively impacted through his support and interventions.”
The statement further noted that the submission was made by a delegation of youths in line with APC guidelines for aspirants contesting the Gombe State governorship primary scheduled for later this month, where the party’s candidate will emerge.
The group also urged supporters of Pantami to remain steadfast ahead of the primary election, declaring: “There will be no retreat and no surrender.”