The Gombe State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has declared former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, as its governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
His emergence followed an affirmation and subsequent announcement by the PDP Chairman of the Governorship Primary Committee for Gombe State, Mr. Greg Yonlong, during the primary in Gombe.
Mr. Yonlong announced that the primary elections were held across the three senatorial districts, with Gombe North recording 16,781 votes, Gombe Central 12,752 votes and Gombe South recording 23,422 votes in favour of Professor Pantami.
He said that overall, Professor Pantami scored 52,955 votes to emerge as the PDP’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
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Following his emergence, Professor Pantami, in his formal acceptance speech, pledged to restore the party’s legacy of development and to tackle poverty across Gombe State.
Addressing a gathering of party leaders, stakeholders and supporters, Pantami struck a tone of unity and gratitude, emphasising that his candidacy represented “a collective vision” rather than an individual ambition.
“This moment is not just about an individual; it is about our shared commitment to justice, unity, development and inclusive governance for all the people of Gombe State,” Pantami said.
The former minister, who ran unopposed for the ticket, made a direct appeal to voters across the state’s eleven local government areas, vowing to govern without favouritism towards any tribe, religion or political affiliation.
“Our concern is not about serving a particular group, local government or community alone. Our mission is to serve the entire eleven local government areas of Gombe State without discrimination,” he stated.
Pantami took time to remind his audience of the PDP’s 16-year hold on the state from 2003 to 2019, crediting that era with foundational infrastructure including the state university, Federal University Kashere, the International Conference Centre, the International Airport, and major water projects.
However, he was equally blunt about current challenges, citing national development indicators that show poverty as a “major challenge” confronting families in Gombe, with unemployment remaining dangerously high among young people.
