By: Monday Munkaila, Gombe
Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has dashed the hopes of Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, of becoming the next Governor of Gombe State as it deleted his name from its portal as the gubernatorial candidate of the Nyesom Wike-backed main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The name was conspicuously missing from the governorship candidates lists released by INEC as the final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State.
The list was released on Saturday as checked by Our Correspondent at the INEC office in Gombe.
Meanwhile, the Pantamiyya Organization, the support group Coordinating the Isa Ali Pantami campaign has reacted to the development, urging its members and supporters to remain calm and await further directives.
In a statement signed by the Director General, Professor Suleiman Mohammed Gombe, the organization assured that it is on top of the the situation.
The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to the non-publication of the name of our candidate from the fresh primary election of 29th September, 2026, as ordered by the Federal High Court, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), in the list released by INEC, and we understand the concerns this has raised among our teeming supporters in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Pantamiyya Movement across Gombe State and beyond.”
It added,”We wish to assure all our supporters to remain calm, steadfast, and hopeful. This is a temporary challenge and a normal part of the electoral process, not a final determination, in sha Allah.”
According to the organization, “We are aware of the people working behind the scenes to frustrate good and responsible leadership in Gombe State, but our legal and liaison teams are already engaging with the relevant organs of the party and INEC to ensure full compliance and rectification within the window provided by law. By the grace of Allah, this matter will be resolved.”
“We urge our supporters to continue their mobilisation and to remain focused on our collective ideology of service to humanity. The PDP and Pantamiyya Movement remain strong, united, and committed to the rescue and emancipation of our people. No distraction will derail our course, in sha Allah,” It concluded.
