Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Gombe State, citing alleged violations of the Electoral Act 2026 and lack of transparency in the party’s primary process.
Pantami, in a statement issued on Tuesday by Barrister Ibrahim M. Attahir on behalf of the Pantamiyya Movement, said his decision followed extensive consultations with stakeholders and concerns over what he described as the party’s failure to provide essential information required for a credible direct primary election scheduled for May 21, 2026.
According to the statement, Pantami had fully complied with the APC’s requirements and procedures after accepting calls from party stakeholders, youth groups, and women to contest for the governorship position.
The statement noted that Pantami was the only APC 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.
However, the former minister alleged that repeated efforts by his legal representatives to obtain details regarding the conduct of the governorship direct primaries were ignored by the party leadership.
He accused the party of failing to disclose information relating to accreditation procedures, voting processes, collation centres, and observer arrangements, insisting that such omissions violated provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and APC guidelines.
Pantami also expressed concerns over the conduct of the APC National Assembly direct primaries held in the state on May 16 and 18, alleging that grassroots party members were sidelined while election results were announced without proper voting taking place.
The statement further claimed that despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for free, fair, and credible direct primaries, the process in Gombe State did not reflect those principles.
Pantami thanked supporters, particularly youths and women who reportedly contributed through crowdfunding to purchase his nomination and expression of interest forms. According to the statement, donations ranged from ₦5,000 to ₦4 million, with contributors publicly sharing receipts online.
He urged his supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, stressing that democracy must be anchored on the rule of law, peace, and security.
The Pantamiyya Movement said it would announce its next political steps in due course, while reaffirming its commitment to good governance and lawful resistance against injustice in Gombe State and across Nigeria.
