Former Kano State Governor and vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has described former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, as a political novice following his entry into partisan politics.
Kwankwaso made the remarks while speaking in a Hausa-language interview with Radio France Internationale (RFI) on Sunday, where he reacted to Pantami’s reported ambition to contest the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State.
According to Kwankwaso, Pantami was previously regarded differently because of his background as an Islamic scholar, but his decision to enter partisan politics means he should now be treated like every other politician.
“Ever since Malam Pantami joined our political space, he became a novice. He is a minor player. Now it is being said that he is seeking the governorship of Gombe. That is what I did back in 1998. I became the Governor of Kano in 1999,” Kwankwaso said.
The former governor said Pantami had previously enjoyed a level of respect and restraint because of his Islamic scholarship.
“Even when concessions were made for him previously, it was because people believed that alongside Western education, he possessed Islamic religious knowledge, so we respected the religious side,” he said.
However, Kwankwaso warned that Pantami should expect the same political scrutiny and criticism faced by other politicians.
“When a person willingly steps into politics, he becomes a junior, and he must watch his tongue. Because in his heart, he still thinks that people will go soft on him just because he is an Islamic cleric. It does not work that way,” he said.
Kwankwaso further accused Pantami of previously making political comments while presenting them within a religious context.
“Do not sit in the mosque abusing us, interpreting verses, and twisting religious matters as you wish just to damage your political opponents while people assume you are speaking the truth. Now that he has stepped into the ring, he is fully in,” he added.
The NDC vice-presidential candidate said Pantami would henceforth be treated strictly as a political actor.
“We will treat him strictly as a politician — whether as a supporter or an adversary — and whatever issue arises requiring a response, he will receive his answer,” Kwankwaso said.
Asked whether Pantami had misunderstood some of his previous comments, Kwankwaso said there was nothing to clarify.
“There is nothing to clarify. Back then, he made political remarks disguised as religion, which is why we remained silent for years. Gradually, when he showed his true colors, I spoke up,” he said.
Kwankwaso also referred to previous disagreements between himself and Pantami, saying some of the issues had resurfaced as Pantami became more active in partisan politics.
He said Pantami should be allowed to gain more experience in the political arena before being treated as an established political figure.
“That is precisely why we shouldn’t rush to answer him or leave him alone. Let him keep stepping in; once he gets fully in, he will wise up,” Kwankwaso said.
The former Kano governor also commented on the controversy surrounding political singer Dauda Kahutu Rarara and songs targeting Pantami.
Kwankwaso said political criticism and attacks were part of the environment Pantami had entered, noting that Rarara had previously released songs targeting other politicians, including himself and former Kano governors Ibrahim Shekarau and Abdullahi Ganduje.
“You see, now that he has entered, haven’t you heard the outcry and various allegations being raised against him? These things weren’t said before, but now they are out in the open,” he said.
Kwankwaso also claimed that the issues raised in Rarara’s songs were not necessarily generated by the singer himself, alleging that they could have come from political actors with access to information.
“And he should not think that what the singer Rarara is saying which I listened to comes directly from Rarara himself. It comes from authority above Rarara. Rarara does not have the capacity or access to know those things on his own. These are matters that require careful handling,” he said.
The comments come amid heightened political activity ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections and growing attention to the governorship contest in Gombe State.
Pantami, a former federal minister, has emerged as a major political figure in Gombe after moving from the All Progressives Congress (APC) political camp to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was subsequently presented with the PDP’s certificate as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
The former minister’s political transition has attracted controversy, including criticism from political opponents and disagreements over his emergence as the PDP candidate. Recent reports have also indicated legal challenges to the process through which he emerged as the party’s candidate.
Kwankwaso’s latest comments add another dimension to the political exchanges surrounding Pantami as the 2027 Gombe governorship contest develops.
