Pantami vows to expose those behind efforts to stop his guber ambition

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, has threatened to reveal those he accused of working to frustrate his bid to become governor of Gombe State.

Pantami vowed that his political ambition would not be stopped by those working against him.

The Islamic scholar, who recently joined the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, after leaving the All Progressives Congress, APC, emerged as the PDP governorship candidate on May 26, 2026.

His emergence followed the APC’s decision to adopt Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna as its consensus candidate.

However, his candidacy faced legal challenges after another PDP aspirant, Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, challenged the primary election in court.

The Federal High Court in Gombe nullified the exercise and ordered a fresh primary, which Pantami won again.

His chances of contesting the 2027 election later became uncertain following a September 24 Supreme Court judgment on the requirements for political parties to nominate candidates.

Although the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, included Pantami on its governorship candidate list released on August 29, his name was missing from the updated list published in October.

Pantami’s legal team subsequently gave INEC three days to restore his name, arguing that he had fulfilled all requirements. However, the commission maintained that candidates omitted from the final list remained excluded and directed political parties to submit complaints by October 24, 2026.

In a video shared on his verified Facebook page on Saturday, Pantami thanked residents of Gombe State for supporting him through prayers in mosques and churches.

He said their support had strengthened his resolve and urged them not to allow criticism to weaken their commitment.

“I saw people mocking you for gathering in mosques and churches to pray for us and seek Allah’s help. Those who do this are to be pitied because they do not understand the power and might of Allah,” he said.

Pantami also cautioned his supporters against becoming discouraged, describing their continued prayers and commitment as evidence of their faith.

He alleged that efforts had been made to derail his political movement and claimed that investigations had identified those responsible. He promised to provide details of the alleged actions and name those involved.

“There are people who have publicly claimed to be fearless, insisting that they are not afraid and are ready for the battle. Yet, today, they are working day and night to prevent that very battle from taking place,” he said.

The former minister maintained that no individual could prevent what God had destined to happen. He urged his supporters to continue doing good and remain steadfast while awaiting further developments concerning his candidacy.