Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, has withdrawn from the governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress in Gombe State, citing alleged violations of the Electoral Act 2026 and irregularities in the party’s primary election process.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Barrister Ibrahim M. Attahir on behalf of the Pantamiyya Movement, Pantami said his decision followed what he described as the APC’s failure to provide a transparent and credible framework for the conduct of the governorship direct primaries scheduled for May 21, 2026.
According to the statement, Pantami fully participated in the party’s activities and complied with all requirements after accepting calls from stakeholders across Gombe State to contest for governor.
The statement noted that he was the only governorship aspirant who sent a representative to the peace accord meeting organised by the Nigeria Police Force in Gombe on May 14, where his representative also signed the accord.
However, the former minister alleged that repeated efforts by his legal team to obtain vital information about the primary election process were ignored by the party leadership. He claimed that requests for details regarding accreditation procedures, voting guidelines, collation centres, and observer access received neither acknowledgment nor response.
Pantami also criticised the conduct of the recent National Assembly direct primaries in the state, alleging that no actual elections took place despite results being announced. He argued that grassroots party members, especially youths and women who form a significant part of his support base, were sidelined during the exercise.
The statement further claimed that despite President Bola Tinubu’s call for free and fair primaries nationwide, those directives were not implemented in Gombe State.
Pantami expressed appreciation to supporters, particularly youths, who contributed funds through crowdfunding to purchase his nomination and expression of interest forms. Contributions, according to the statement, ranged from ₦5,000 to ₦4 million.
He assured supporters that the Pantamiyya Movement would announce its next political steps in due course, while reaffirming its commitment to lawful resistance against injustice and the promotion of good governance in Gombe State and across Nigeria.