Pantami shuns consensus arrangement, submits APC governorship nomination form

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Ali Pantami has officially submitted his governorship nomination form to the national headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja despite the party’s consensus arrangement in Gombe State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The development comes days after the APC in Gombe announced Jamilu Gwamna as the party’s consensus governorship candidate.

According to a statement issued by Ismaila Misilli, the decision followed an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting led by Governor Inuwa Yahaya.

However, the Pantamiyya Movement, a support group loyal to Pantami, rejected the arrangement, arguing that it violated the APC constitution and democratic principles.

In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Pantami described the process as a mere selection and insisted that the party should conduct direct primaries.

He said he would challenge what he described as injustice and support whoever emerges through a transparent process.

A statement shared on Pantami’s X account on Thursday confirmed that members of his support group submitted the nomination form on his behalf at the APC national headquarters.

The statement read: “Professor Isa Ali Pantami has officially submitted his governorship nomination form for Gombe State, purchased for him by youths whose lives have been positively impacted through his support and interventions.”

It added: “Today, Thursday, a delegation representing some of the youths formally submitted the nomination form in fulfilment of the requirements set by the APC for aspirants contesting the Gombe State governorship primary election scheduled for the 21st of this month, where the party’s candidate will emerge.”

The group also urged Pantami’s supporters to remain resolute ahead of the primary election.

“There will be no retreat and no surrender,” the statement added.