Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has officially emerged as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (Peoples Democratic Party) for the 2027 election in Gombe State.
Pantami secured the ticket during the party’s primary election held on Tuesday in Gombe, where he was affirmed as the sole aspirant through a voice vote. The chairman of the PDP Electoral Panel, Gregory Yenlong, subsequently declared him winner of the exercise.
After his emergence, Pantami said his decision to contest was motivated by a desire to serve the people of Gombe State, promising to run an inclusive government anchored on fairness, justice, and accountability if elected governor.
His candidacy now sets up a major political contest against Jamilu Gwamna, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the state.
Pantami’s move to the PDP follows a tense fallout within the APC over its governorship primary process, which he had previously rejected, insisting on a more transparent selection exercise. He later withdrew from the APC race, citing concerns over alleged irregularities.
His defection and swift emergence as PDP candidate have sparked internal reactions within the opposition party, with some aspirants initially opposing his acceptance into the race due to his participation in the APC process. Despite the controversy, PDP stakeholders in Gombe eventually endorsed him as their preferred flag bearer for the 2027 election.
