Pantami Withdraws from Gombe APC Governorship Primary Over Alleged Electoral Violations

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election scheduled for May 21 in Gombe State.

The decision was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by Ibrahim Attahir on behalf of the Pantamiyya Movement. According to the statement, Pantami withdrew from the race in protest against what he described as serious violations of the Electoral Act 2026 and the APC’s internal guidelines.

Pantami had submitted his nomination form at the APC national headquarters in Abuja on May 7. However, tensions arose after the APC in Gombe endorsed Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

The Pantamiyya Movement rejected the consensus arrangement, arguing that it contravened the APC constitution, directives from the party’s national leadership, and President Bola Tinubu’s call for transparent and democratic primaries. Pantami also reportedly described the process as a “coronation” rather than a legitimate election.

In the statement, Attahir accused the party leadership of failing to provide essential information needed for a credible primary election. He said repeated requests by Pantami’s legal team for details regarding voting procedures, accreditation, collation centres, and observer access were ignored.

He further alleged that the recent National Assembly direct primaries conducted in the state lacked transparency, claiming that results were announced without proper electoral procedures being followed.

According to the statement, grassroots party members, especially women and youths who form a significant part of Pantami’s support base, were sidelined during the primaries.

“After extensive consultations with stakeholders and careful reflection on developments in Gombe State, Prof. Pantami has decided to withdraw from the APC governorship primary election under protest,” the statement read.

The movement maintained that peaceful protest remains a legitimate democratic tool and insisted that adherence to the Electoral Act and party guidelines is necessary to ensure free, fair, and credible elections.

Attahir also thanked Pantami’s supporters for contributing funds toward the purchase of his expression of interest and nomination forms.