By: Monday Munkaila, Gombe
A fight over membership of Professor Isa Ali Pantami, is currently ongoing between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State as each is claiming that the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy remains its full member.
The PDP), has declared that Ali Pantami, remains its full-fledged, bonafide and card carrying member of the party, dismissing anything contrary to that position.
The PDP made the clarification through Abdulkadir Ahmad Dukku State Public Relations Officer (PRO), while interacting with Journalists in Gombe on Tuesday.
He said that, “The PDP wishes to respond to the recent press conference addressed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State, claiming that the Governorship Candidate of our great party, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, remains a member of the APC.”
According to him, “This claim is not only laughable but a display of ignorance of the Electoral Law and our Party’s Constitution. We wish to categorically state that Professor Pantami is a bonafide member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), having duly complied with all the constitutional and legal requirements for membership of our party. The PDP possesses all relevant documents confirming his resignation from his former party acknowledged by his then Ward Chairman.”
The PDP Spokesperson added that,”We therefore call on APC members and all Nigerians from the national down to the ward level, as well as the general public, to disregard the misleading claims being circulated by the sinking APC in Gombe State.”
“The Chairman of APC in Pantami Ward has stated that he acknowledged the letter of Pantami’s resignation in person on the 19th of May, 2026 which he posted on the social media platform that went viral recently,” he explained.
Abdulkadir Ahmad Dukku stressed that,”Consequently, we urge the APC in Gombe State to focus on preparing for the forthcoming general election instead of engaging in unnecessary distractions. It should be noted that this is the third time the APC has organized a press conference on the same issue, despite the facts being clear and well documented.”
He touted,”If the APC lacks confidence in its candidate, it should address its internal concerns instead of insisting that Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami must stay in their party. After all, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Law as amended guarantees freedom of association.”
According to him,”As far as we are aware, the APC still has an opportunity, within the provisions of the electoral process, to make decisions regarding its candidature if it believes it has presented a candidate who cannot effectively compete against the PDP candidate.”
He then declared that,”The PDP remains committed to issue based campaigns and to providing the people of Gombe State with credible leadership, development, and good governance.”
In a separate Press briefing addressed by Moses Kyari Bolde,
Publicity Secretary, APC Gombe State, the party had claimed that Isa Ali Pantami, remains its member having not resigned from the party as being claimed.
He wrote that,”We have deemed it necessary to address you today in order to further clarify and reinforce the position earlier presented by the APC Executive Committee of Pantami Ward regarding the purported resignation of Professor Ali Isa Pantami from the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
According to him,”As you may recall, Twenty-five out of the Twenty-seven members of the Ward Executive Committee publicly stated that they neither saw nor deliberated on any resignation letter purportedly submitted by Professor Ali Isa Pantami. They maintained that the claim was merely a fabrication orchestrated without the knowledge or approval of the Ward Executive Committee.”
He added,”According to the Ward Chairman, Alhaji Bala Galda, the alleged resignation letter was received on the 23rd of May, 2026, although it was reportedly dated 19th May, 2026, and delivered by one Abba Pantami. Despite repeated requests, members of the Ward Executive Committee have not been provided with a copy of the said letter.”
“It is therefore our position that, based on the provisions of the APC Constitution, INEC guidelines, and the Electoral Act, Professor Ali Isa Pantami remains a member of the APC until all due processes are properly followed and verified,” Moses Kyari Bolde added.
The Publicity Secretary added, “Furthermore, we wish to address claims allegedly made by Professor Pantami during a televised interview on TVC, where he stated that his defection to the PDP and his gubernatorial ambition had the blessing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
According to him,”We categorically reject this assertion. President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a committed leader of the APC and has consistently demonstrated loyalty to the party. It is difficult to believe that the President would endorse activities that are contrary to the interests and unity of the APC.”
He added that,”We also wish to emphasize that the APC administration in Gombe State, under the leadership of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has recorded remarkable achievements in governance, infrastructure development, peace, and political stability.”
According to him,”The Governor has strengthened the party’s presence across the state, with overwhelming representation at the National Assembly, State House of Assembly, and local government levels. Given these achievements and the continued growth of the APC in Gombe State, we find no basis for the claims being circulated regarding any endorsement of Professor Pantami’s political ambitions outside the party.”.
He concluded,”Therefore, we call on the national leadership of the APC and the Presidency to publicly clarify and dispel these claims in order to prevent misinformation and avoid misleading the people. We remain committed to truth, transparency, and the unity of our great party. We appreciate your presence and attention, and we thank you for your continued support.”
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