Former Communications Minister Isa Ali Pantami has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and clinched the party’s governorship ticket in Gombe State after emerging as the sole aspirant in the party’s primary election.
Pantami secured the ticket through a voice affirmation during the party’s primary election held in Gombe, where he emerged as the sole aspirant.
He was subsequently declared winner by Hon. Gregory Yenlong, Chairman of the PDP Electoral Panel, who supervised the exercise.
Speaking shortly after his emergence, Pantami said his decision to contest was driven by a desire to serve the people of Gombe State.
He pledged that if elected governor in 2027, he would run an administration anchored on fairness and justice.
Pantami is now set to face Jamilu Gwamna, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in what is expected to be a closely watched contest.
Prior to his emergence in the PDP, Pantami had opposed the process that produced Gwamna as the APC consensus candidate.
He had initially opted for primaries but withdrew on the eve of the exercise, citing concerns over lack of transparency in the process.
