The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Gombe State, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has paid a sympathy visit to the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) at Federal Low-Cost, Gombe, following a devastating fire outbreak that destroyed parts of the church complex.
Pantami, who represented the leader of the PDP in Gombe State and Senator representing Gombe North, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, led a delegation of political leaders and traditional rulers to condole with the church and express solidarity with members affected by the incident.
Addressing the congregation, Pantami said he came primarily as a concerned neighbour because he lives close to the area, stressing that his visit was not a political campaign but a demonstration of compassion during a difficult period.
The former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy urged the worshippers to remain steadfast in faith despite the loss. He referenced James 1:2–4 and passages from the Book of Peter, saying the scriptures teach that trials produce endurance, maturity and spiritual growth.
Pantami also quoted Surah Al-Baqarah (Verses 155–157) from the Holy Qur’an, noting that both Islam and Christianity encourage patience and trust in God during moments of hardship.
“We don’t question God; whatever He does, we accept it with good faith,” he said, adding that believers are encouraged to remain patient in the face of trials.
He described Gombe State as a model of peaceful coexistence, saying the pain of one community should be shared by all, irrespective of religious affiliation.
“We are brothers, we are sisters. When one of us is affected, we are all affected. When one of us is smiling, we all smile. When one of us is in sadness, we are all sad,” Pantami told the congregation.
The PDP governorship candidate also assured the church leadership that they would not be left to rebuild the damaged facility alone. He disclosed that leaders of the delegation would meet privately with the church authorities to provide immediate financial assistance towards the reconstruction of the sanctuary.
The visit comes amid renewed calls for interfaith unity and mutual support in Gombe State, with community leaders commending efforts that promote peaceful coexistence across religious and ethnic divides.
