Pantami's Political Return: APC Revalidation Ignites Gombe Governorship Speculation
In a significant political development that has sent ripples through Gombe State's political landscape, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, has officially revalidated his membership with the All Progressives Congress (APC). This move, executed during the party's nationwide e-registration exercise, has immediately fueled intense speculation about Pantami's potential ambitions for the 2027 governorship race in Gombe State.
Revalidation Event Sparks Mixed Reactions Within APC Ranks
The revalidation ceremony at the APC state headquarters in Gombe drew substantial attention, with Pantami arriving to a large crowd of supporters and party faithful. While state party executives formally welcomed him back to the fold, praising his reaffirmed loyalty to the ruling party, underlying tensions surfaced during the proceedings. The event highlighted the complex dynamics within Gombe's political sphere as the 2027 electoral cycle approaches.
APC Organising Secretary Ibrahim Musa openly expressed dissatisfaction with Pantami's previous political posture, noting that the party leadership had been concerned about the former minister's apparent distance from party activities. "You have not been frequent at the party and at a point in time your commitment to the party was questioned because most of your loyalists left for the ADC," Musa stated during the event, referencing the African Democratic Congress that some of Pantami's associates had reportedly joined.
Clarifying Past Absence and Political Strategy
In response to the criticism, Pantami offered a detailed explanation for his limited visible participation in state party affairs. The former minister emphasized that he had been engaged in behind-the-scenes work with President Bola Tinubu's administration, particularly focusing on national security and economic development matters. Additionally, Pantami described himself as a "plainclothes politician" who prefers to operate without excessive public visibility while maintaining influence through private consultations and strategic engagements.
Pantami further revealed historical political involvement, recalling his role in encouraging the late President Muhammadu Buhari to enter politics and his coordination of a crucial Kaduna meeting that facilitated the merger between the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) – the alliance that eventually formed the APC. Despite acknowledging that President Tinubu had offered him three appointments after his ministerial tenure, Pantami explained that he declined these positions to focus on private life while continuing to support the administration's agenda informally.
2027 Governorship Landscape Takes Shape
With current Governor Inuwa Yahaya constitutionally barred from seeking re-election in 2027, the political maneuvering for his successor has begun in earnest. Pantami's revalidation has significantly altered the political atmosphere in Gombe, with his supporters already positioning him as a modern, reform-minded candidate who brings substantial credentials to the table:
- Academic background as a professor
- Leadership experience as former Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)
- Ministerial experience in communications and digital economy
- Established national political connections
Political observers note that if Pantami formally declares his candidacy, he could emerge as one of the strongest contenders in what promises to be a highly competitive race. His potential candidacy carries additional significance as he could become one of the few religious clerics to lead a state in Nigeria's North-east region, joining a small list of cleric-governors recorded during the Fourth Republic.
Competitive Field and Historical Context
Despite the momentum building around Pantami, the 2027 Gombe governorship contest is expected to feature multiple strong contenders. Sources indicate that other influential figures are already positioning themselves for the race, including:
- Minister of Transportation, Sa'idu Alkali, who brings substantial political experience including previous roles as Commissioner of Information and Senator for Gombe North
- Gombe State Accountant General, Aminu Yuguda
- Prominent contractor Yunusa Yakubu
Pantami also addressed historical political advice he received, revealing that the late President Muhammadu Buhari once counseled him to avoid active involvement in Gombe State politics during Governor Yahaya's first term. According to Pantami, this advice was intended "to ensure harmony and a cordial working relationship within the state's political leadership." This revelation adds another layer to understanding Pantami's previous political distance from state-level activities.
The former minister described his current relationship with Governor Yahaya as cordial, noting that he has supported the administration since its inception. As the political landscape continues to evolve, Pantami's revalidation represents more than just a party membership renewal – it signals a potential shift in Gombe's political dynamics that could significantly influence the 2027 electoral contest and the state's future leadership direction.
