By Abubakar Rabilu Gombe
The governorship campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Gombe State, Dr Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, has suffered another setback following the defection of two prominent party members to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The defectors, Hon. Ibrahim Adamu Muhammad, popularly known as Uban Dawakin Gombe, and Alhaji Auwalu Alhassan, also known as Chiburosi, declared their support for the PDP governorship candidate, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.
Muhammad, a former Deputy Chairman of Gombe Local Government Council, and Alhassan, a former Chairman of the Groundnut Oil Millers Association of Gombe State, were said to have joined the PDP and the Pantamiyya Movement.
Their defection was announced in a statement issued by the Pantamiyya Movement and signed by Prof. Suleiman Mohammed.
The statement said the two politicians were attracted to Pantami by what it described as his leadership experience, integrity and understanding of governance.
It added that their decision would strengthen the PDP and Pantami’s political structure ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
“Their decision represents another major boost for the PDP and Professor Pantami’s growing movement across Gombe State,” the statement said.
The movement also said the development would further consolidate the PDP structure under the leadership of former governor and current state leader of the party, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo.
It described Pantami as a scholar and reformer whose record in public service, particularly in youth empowerment and digital innovation, had continued to attract support across the state.
The latest defections come amid ongoing political realignments in Gombe State, with the APC and PDP stepping up mobilisation and efforts to strengthen their structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
