Isa Pantami Defects to PDP, Emerges Gombe Governorship Candidate

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and emerged as the party’s governorship candidate in Gombe State, days after withdrawing from the APC primary over alleged lack of transparency.

Pantami was reportedly affirmed by voice vote on Tuesday as the sole PDP aspirant, according to Electoral Panel Chairman Hon. Gregory Yenlong.

Speaking after his emergence, Pantami said his ambition was driven by a desire to serve the people of Gombe State and promised fairness and justice if elected in 2027.

“I contested for the seat to offer service to people of the state,” he said.

His emergence sets up a potential contest with APC candidate Jamilu Gwamna, who earlier emerged through a consensus process that Pantami had criticised before exiting the APC race.

The defection, however, sparked objections within the PDP. Four aspirants — Abdulkadir Hamma Saleh, Khamisu Mailantarki, Usman Garry, and Monica Kaltho — reportedly argued that a candidate should not switch parties and immediately participate in the same election process.

Despite the concerns, PDP stakeholders reportedly endorsed Pantami, describing him as the right candidate to represent the party in the 2027 governorship election.