Dare Babalola
The immediate past minister of communications and digital economy, Isa Pantami, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and emerged as the party’s 2027 governorship candidate in Gombe state.
The former minister under late former President Muhammadu Buhari, secured the ticket on Tuesday through voice affirmation during the PDP governorship primary.
Gregory Yenlong, chairman of the PDP electoral panel, announced the results of the affirmation exercise at the event.
According to him, Pantami secured 16,781 votes in Gombe north, 12,752 votes in Gombe central, and 23,422 votes in Gombe south.
The PDP panel chairman said Pantami polled a total of 52,955 votes in the exercise.
“Therefore, by the guidelines of this election, it is my singular honour and privilege, members of the PDP, our elders, Prof. Isa Aliyu Ibrahim Pantami, who is therefore presented to you for affirmation,” he said.
Following the announcement, Sambo Sa’adu moved a motion for the adoption and affirmation of Pantami as the PDP governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
The motion was seconded by Bulus Maikori.
Speaking after the primary, Pantami said he joined the governorship race to serve the people of Gombe state.
He pledged to govern the state with fairness and justice if elected in 2027.
Pantami will face Jamilu Gwamna, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the governorship election.
Before joining the PDP, Pantami had criticised the process that produced Gwamna as the APC consensus candidate.
The former minister had demanded direct primaries but later withdrew from the APC governorship race on the eve of the exercise, alleging a lack of transparency.
