APC and PDP officials in Gombe State are trading accusations over the political membership status of former Communications Minister Isa Ali Pantami, who has become the PDP governorship candidate for the 2027 election. The PDP says Pantami has left the APC and is now a bona fide PDP member. PDP representatives reject APC claims that he still belongs to the ruling party, describing the dispute as misinformation.
APC officials, including the party’s Gombe State publicity secretary Moses Kyari, say due process was not followed for any purported resignation and defection by Pantami. They argue that the APC ward executive committee did not receive or deliberate on a resignation letter, and they point to internal and procedural gaps around the alleged letter and its circulation. APC spokespeople also dispute Pantami’s accounts in the media, including claims that his defection had the backing of President Bola Tinubu.
The dispute follows earlier internal party events in which Pantami withdrew from an APC governorship primary after protesting a consensus arrangement. Both sides present competing versions of his membership and use the matter to strengthen their positions ahead of the 2027 polls.
