The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, has challenged all governorship candidates in the state to a public debate ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that his record in public office would speak for itself.
Speaking in Gombe, Pantami said he was ready to engage in a debate lasting between six and 10 hours with candidates from the All Progressives Congress (APC), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and other political parties contesting the governorship election.
Among those he specifically mentioned were the APC candidate, Dr. Jamilu Gwamna, and the ADC candidate, Dr. Bala Tinka Bello.
According to Pantami, every public office he had occupied was transformed through reforms and innovation, insisting that his achievements were verifiable.
“My track record will speak for me,” he said while calling on the people of Gombe State and relevant stakeholders to organise a governorship debate before the election.
He proposed that the debate should be moderated by experienced journalists and professionals to ensure fairness, transparency and credibility.
Pantami also maintained that every claim made by any candidate during the debate should be subjected to independent verification, arguing that voters deserve factual information before making their choice at the polls.
Without mentioning anyone by name, the PDP candidate alleged that one of the governorship contenders had a poor record of performance in previous public offices, stressing that leadership should be judged by measurable achievements rather than political promises.
S24 Television contacted representatives of the APC candidate for a reaction to Pantami’s challenge. However, despite assurances that an official response would be provided, none had been received as of the time this report was filed.
Reacting to the development, a political scientist based in Gombe State, who requested anonymity, described the proposed debate as a welcome development capable of deepening democracy.
The analyst said a public debate would give residents of Gombe State the opportunity to compare candidates based on their policies, competence and vision for the state.
He also observed that Pantami’s early statewide consultations across the 11 local government areas of Gombe State demonstrated political preparedness.
“Politics is local, and building grassroots support is essential. Starting early gives a candidate the opportunity to understand the needs of the people and communicate his vision,” the analyst said.
He urged other governorship aspirants to also engage directly with the electorate while ensuring that all political activities remain peaceful and in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act and guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, political parties should avoid actions capable of inciting violence, noting that official campaigns are expected to commence in accordance with the timetable released by INEC, reportedly around August or September 2026.
“For now, what we are seeing are consultations and political permutations. Campaigns should be conducted within the law, and ultimately, the people should decide who emerges victorious,” he added.
Meanwhile, in a separate video circulating online, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya was seen addressing newly inaugurated commissioners as well as political appointees.
The governor said his administration was fully aware of the political developments in the state and urged party members to remain prepared ahead of the commencement of official election campaigns.
He charged the newly inaugurated 23 commissioners, as well as Special Advisers (SAs) and Personal Assistants (PAs), to work diligently in delivering on the administration’s agenda.
According to him, their performance in office would become part of the administration’s legacy and contribute to future milestones in the state’s development.
The build-up to the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State has continued to gather momentum, with political actors intensifying consultations and grassroots engagements even as stakeholders await the commencement of official campaigns in line with INEC’s timetable.
