Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has officially 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 through a voice affirmation conducted during the party’s governorship primary held on Tuesday in Gombe.
Announcing the outcome of the exercise, Chairman of the PDP Electoral Panel, Gregory Yenlong, disclosed that Pantami recorded 16,781 votes in Gombe North, 12,752 votes in Gombe Central, and 23,422 votes in Gombe South.
According to Yenlong, the former minister polled a total of 52,955 votes across the three senatorial zones.
“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,” Yenlong declared.
Following the announcement, a motion for Pantami’s adoption as the PDP governorship candidate was moved by Sambo Sa’adu and seconded by Bulus Maikori.
Speaking after the primary election, Pantami said his decision to contest was driven by a desire to serve the people of Gombe State.
He promised to lead the state with fairness, justice and inclusiveness if elected governor in 2027.
Pantami will now face the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jamilu Gwamna, in what is expected to be a keenly contested governorship race.
Before defecting to the PDP, Pantami had openly criticised the APC governorship primary process in Gombe State.
The former minister had earlier demanded direct primaries within the APC but later withdrew from the race on the eve of the party’s primary election, citing lack of transparency and internal irregularities in the process that produced Gwamna as the party’s consensus candidate.
Pantami’s defection is seen as a major political development in Gombe State ahead of the 2027 general elections, especially considering his influence within northern political and religious circles.
