Pantami Withdraws from APC Governorship Primaries in Gombe, Citing Electoral Act Violations, Lack of Transparency

By Emmanuel Kwada

Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, CON, PhD, has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Gombe State, protesting alleged violations of the Electoral Act 2026 and the party’s failure to ensure a credible, transparent process.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by Barrister Ibrahim M. Attahir on behalf of the Pantamiyya Movement, Prof. Pantami said he took the decision after “extensive consultations with stakeholders and careful reflection” on recent developments in the state.

The former Communications and Digital Economy Minister had heeded calls from party leaders, youth, women, and other stakeholders to contest the governorship seat. According to the statement, he demonstrated full commitment by meeting all requirements and adhering to laid-down procedures.

He was reportedly the only APC governorship aspirant who sent a representative to the Peace Accord organised by the Nigeria Police Force, Gombe State Command, on 14 May 2026, and the only one whose representative signed the accord.

Despite this, Pantami’s camp repeatedly complained of being denied access to critical information needed for a fair contest. Letters from his solicitors to various APC organs, seeking clarification on processes and raising concerns ahead of the governorship direct primaries, reportedly received no response.

“The law must guide the process in a democracy,” the statement emphasised. “Non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 and the party’s guidelines renders the exercise unsafe and illegitimate.”

The statement highlighted irregularities observed during the APC’s National Assembly direct primaries held on 16 and 18 May 2026, where, according to multiple aspirants, no actual voting took place in many areas.

Details on venues, accreditation of agents and observers, voting procedures, and collation centres were allegedly not provided, yet results were announced.

Prof. Pantami had specifically requested information on accreditation times and locations, voting and collation procedures, and collation centres — information that, the statement noted, should have been proactively shared with all aspirants.

As of Tuesday, none had been provided, despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s public insistence on free, fair, and credible direct primaries.

The withdrawal comes just two days before the scheduled governorship primary on 21 May 2026.

The statement praised Pantami’s strong grassroots support, particularly among women and youth, noting that members at the ward level were sidelined in recent exercises.

It also expressed deep appreciation to thousands of supporters, many of them young people, who contributed via crowdfunding to purchase his expression of interest and nomination forms. Contributions ranged from ₦5,000 to ₦4 million, with receipts publicly shared online.

“The Pantamiyya Movement will communicate its next steps and future plans to its followers, supporters, sympathisers, mentees, and students of Prof. Pantami in Gombe State and across Nigeria in due course,” the statement added.

“Its commitment to advancing good governance… and its resolve against injustice through lawful means remains unshakable.”

All supporters have been urged to remain united as the movement prepares for the “next alignment and realignment in the political space.”

The development is expected to significantly impact the political landscape in Gombe State ahead of the 2027 general elections.