Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, has ignited political tension in Gombe State after formally submitting his nomination form to contest the All Progressives Congress governorship primary, defying an earlier consensus arrangement adopted by party stakeholders.
The move has intensified the struggle for political succession in the state and set the stage for what could become one of the most closely watched governorship contests ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Pantami’s decision comes days after leading figures within the Gombe APC endorsed businessman Jamilu Gwamna as the party’s consensus governorship candidate. The endorsement followed a closed-door meeting reportedly coordinated by political stakeholders loyal to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who is expected to complete his second term in office before the next election cycle.
The consensus arrangement was presented as a strategy to preserve unity and avoid internal division that could weaken the party’s chances at the polls. However, Pantami’s refusal to accept the agreement has exposed growing cracks within the ruling party and raised fresh questions about internal democracy in Gombe politics.
Pantami, who served prominently under former President Muhammadu Buhari, remains one of the most influential political figures from Gombe State. Though he has not publicly launched a direct attack on the consensus decision, his nomination submission sends a clear message that he is unwilling to step aside for a process many of his supporters believe was designed to sideline his political ambition.
His supporters, operating under the “Pantamiyya Movement,” reportedly purchased and submitted the nomination form at the APC national secretariat in Abuja on his behalf. The group described the action as a response to widespread grassroots calls urging Pantami to contest, insisting that no individual or group has the authority to impose a candidate on party members.
They argued that democracy thrives on competition and choice, not political coronation. According to them, the APC constitution provides for transparent primaries, and any attempt to bypass that process would undermine the credibility of the party.
The development has unsettled the political calculations of Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s camp, which had hoped the consensus arrangement would guarantee a smooth succession plan and prevent unnecessary friction within the state chapter of the APC.
Political analysts say Pantami’s entry into the race changes the entire equation. Unlike many aspirants, he commands national visibility, a strong intellectual reputation, and significant grassroots loyalty, particularly among young voters and religious constituencies.
His tenure as minister earned him recognition for championing Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda. Under his leadership, the country recorded substantial growth in broadband penetration, digital identity enrolment, and technology innovation policy. Supporters believe these achievements make him well-positioned to replicate similar developmental strides in Gombe.
However, critics argue that governance at the state level requires a different skill set from federal policy leadership. They insist administrative reforms at the federal level do not automatically translate into effective grassroots governance.
Meanwhile, Jamilu Gwamna’s supporters maintain confidence in the consensus endorsement. They argue that the businessman’s longstanding investments in Gombe’s economy and his political relationships make him the ideal successor to continue Governor Yahaya’s developmental blueprint.
The APC national leadership now faces mounting pressure to clarify its position. If it upholds the consensus arrangement and blocks open competition, it risks accusations of political manipulation and possible rebellion from Pantami’s loyalists. On the other hand, allowing a free primary could trigger a fierce internal battle capable of splitting the party.
Observers note that Gombe has remained one of the APC’s strongest states in the North-East, and any prolonged internal crisis could create opportunities for opposition parties hoping to make electoral gains.
The situation also carries national implications. Pantami’s political profile extends beyond Gombe, and how the APC handles his challenge may send a broader signal about the party’s approach to internal democracy as preparations for 2027 intensify across Nigeria.
For many residents of Gombe, the unfolding contest represents more than a power struggle between political elites. It reflects a deeper debate over whether leadership should emerge through open democratic participation or elite consensus.
As the primary election draws closer, attention will focus on whether reconciliation efforts can produce a compromise or whether the contest will proceed as a full-scale political showdown.
One thing is certain: Pantami’s decision to submit his nomination form has disrupted carefully laid political calculations and transformed Gombe into a critical battleground that could shape the future direction of the APC in the state and beyond.
