Pantami Threatens to Name Those Allegedly Working Against His Gombe Governorship Bid

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, has threatened to expose individuals he accused of working to frustrate his ambition to become governor of Gombe State in the 2027 general elections.

Pantami, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), maintained that those allegedly working against his candidacy would not succeed in stopping his political ambition.

The former minister made the declaration in a video shared on his verified Facebook page on Saturday, where he also thanked residents of Gombe State for their continued support and prayers for his governorship ambition.

He urged his supporters not to be discouraged by criticism or alleged attempts to undermine his political movement, insisting that their commitment and faith should remain unwavering.

Pantami emerged as the PDP governorship candidate on May 26, 2026, following the APC's decision to adopt Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna as its consensus candidate.

However, his candidacy has been dogged by legal and procedural challenges, raising questions about his eligibility to participate in the 2027 governorship election.

Another PDP aspirant, Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, had challenged the party's primary election in court, leading to a ruling by the Federal High Court in Gombe that nullified the exercise and ordered a fresh primary.

Pantami subsequently won the rerun primary, securing the party's ticket again.

His chances of appearing on the ballot, however, became uncertain following a September 24, 2026, Supreme Court judgment concerning the requirements political parties must satisfy when nominating candidates for elections.

Although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) included Pantami on its governorship candidate list released on August 29, his name was absent from the updated list published in October.

In response, Pantami's legal team reportedly gave INEC three days to restore his name, arguing that he had fulfilled all the necessary requirements to contest the election.

INEC, however, maintained that candidates whose names were omitted from the final list remained excluded, while directing political parties to submit complaints concerning the list by October 24, 2026.

Against this backdrop, Pantami used his latest message to reassure supporters that he remained determined to pursue his political ambition despite the obstacles confronting his candidacy.

He expressed appreciation to residents who had organised prayers for him in mosques and churches, saying their support had strengthened his resolve.

“I saw people mocking you for gathering in mosques and churches to pray for us and seek Allah’s help. Those who do this are to be pitied because they do not understand the power and might of Allah,” he said.

The former minister urged his supporters not to allow those criticising their activities to weaken their commitment, describing their prayers and continued support as expressions of faith.

Pantami also alleged that some individuals had been working behind the scenes to derail his political movement, claiming that investigations had identified those responsible.

He promised to make further revelations about the alleged activities and identify the people involved, although he did not name anyone in the video.

“There are people who have publicly claimed to be fearless, insisting that they are not afraid and are ready for the battle. Yet, today, they are working day and night to prevent that very battle from taking place,” he said.

While he did not provide specific details of the alleged efforts to frustrate his candidacy, Pantami's remarks suggested that he believed opposition to his ambition extended beyond public criticism to actions intended to prevent him from contesting the election.

He nevertheless maintained that no individual could prevent what God had destined to happen, urging his supporters to remain patient, continue doing good and await further developments.

The controversy surrounding Pantami's candidacy comes as political parties and aspirants prepare for the 2027 general elections, with compliance with electoral laws, party nomination procedures and INEC's requirements remaining critical to determining which candidates eventually appear on the ballot.

For Pantami, the immediate challenge is not only sustaining the support he says he enjoys among residents of Gombe State but also resolving the legal and administrative questions surrounding his inclusion on the final list of governorship candidates.

His threat to name those he accuses of working against him could introduce another dimension to the unfolding political contest in Gombe, particularly if he follows through with specific allegations and identifies the individuals involved.

For now, the former minister has urged his supporters to remain steadfast as the situation surrounding his candidacy continues to develop.