Pantami Dumps APC, Emerges PDP Governorship Candidate in Gombe Ahead of 2027 Poll

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2027 election in Gombe State, following his reported withdrawal from the ruling APC governorship primary.

Pantami was reportedly declared the PDP flagbearer during a political gathering attended by former Gombe State governor and senator, Ibrahim Dankwambo.

According to reports, the former minister had earlier reached out to influential PDP stakeholders in the state believed to be aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to secure the party’s governorship ticket.

Sources within the party said the request was subsequently approved, paving the way for Pantami’s emergence as the PDP candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship race.

Pantami, a prominent Islamic scholar and former cabinet member under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, had been widely speculated to be interested in the governorship contest under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) before his reported withdrawal from the party’s primary process.

His emergence is expected to reshape the political landscape in Gombe State, setting the stage for what observers predict could become one of the state’s most closely watched governorship contests in recent years.

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from Pantami or the PDP national leadership regarding the development.