Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Gombe State, citing alleged violations of the Electoral Act 2026 and irregularities in the party’s electoral process.
Pantami announced his withdrawal on Tuesday through a statement issued by Barrister Ibrahim M. Attahir on behalf of the Pantamiyya Movement.
According to the statement, Pantami decided to step down from the APC governorship primary election scheduled for May 21, 2026, after consultations with stakeholders and concerns over what he described as the party’s failure to provide a transparent and credible framework for the exercise.
The former minister accused the party leadership of denying aspirants critical information relating to the conduct of the primaries, including accreditation procedures, voting guidelines, collation processes, and designated venues for the exercise.
He stated that letters written by his solicitors to relevant organs of the party seeking clarification and raising concerns were neither acknowledged nor responded to.
Pantami maintained that the alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 and APC guidelines made the exercise “unsafe and illegitimate.”
He also referenced the recently conducted National Assembly direct primaries in Gombe State, alleging that grassroots party members were sidelined while results were announced without proper elections taking place.
According to the statement, Pantami was the only governorship aspirant who sent a representative to the Peace Accord organised by the Nigeria Police Force in Gombe State on May 14, 2026, where his representative reportedly signed the accord.
The statement further claimed that despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s insistence on free, fair, and credible direct primaries, such directives were not implemented in the state.
Pantami expressed appreciation to supporters, especially youths and women, who contributed through crowdfunding to purchase his nomination and expression of interest forms.
The statement revealed that donations ranged from N5,000 to N4 million, with contributors publicly sharing receipts online.
He also thanked coordinators, campaign officials, elders, and members of the Pantamiyya Movement for their support and urged supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
Pantami assured supporters that the movement would announce its next political steps and future direction in due course, while reaffirming its commitment to good governance and lawful resistance against injustice in Gombe State and Nigeria.
