GOMBE, NIGERIA — In a major political development ahead of the upcoming primary elections, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, CON, has formally withdrawn from the All Progress Congress (APC) governorship race in Gombe State.
The decision, announced on May 19, 2026, by the legal representative of the Pantamiyya Movement, Barrister Ibrahim M. Attahir, serves as a direct protest against what Pantami describes as blatant violations of the Electoral Act 2026 and a lack of transparency within the state’s party leadership.
Timeline of the Gombe APC Primaries Crisis (May 2026)
[May 14: Peace Accord] ────────► Only Pantami's representative signs the Police peace pact.
│
▼
[May 16 & 18: NASS Primaries] ─► Alleged "sham" elections; no voting occurs but results are declared.
│
▼
[May 19: Formal Withdrawal] ───► Pantami officially pulls out of the race under protest.
│
▼
[May 21: Planned Governorship] ─► APC Primaries scheduled to proceed without Gombe's main challenger.
Why Pantami Pulled Out: The Core Grievances
According to the official statement, Pantami’s decision to pull out of the scheduled May 21, 2026, primaries was not taken lightly, but was deemed necessary to defend the rule of law.
The campaign outlined three fundamental structural failures:
1. Violation of the Electoral Act 2026
Pantami’s campaign legal team stated that the current primary framework lacks the basic legal compliance required to host a legitimate election. By disregarding established guidelines, the campaign argues that any result generated from the process would be legally vulnerable and “unsafe.”
2. Sidelining of the Grassroots
The statement criticized the conduct of the National Assembly direct primaries held between May 16 and May 18, alleging that party members at the grassroots level were entirely frozen out of the voting process.
“The strength of Pantami lies in his massive grassroots support, particularly among women and youth. Unfortunately, in the recent direct primaries, members at the grassroots were sidelined.” — Barrister Ibrahim M. Attahir
3. Systematic Blackout of Vital Information
The campaign accused the state’s party organs of ignoring official inquiries. Solicited details regarding voting venues, accreditation guidelines for agents and observers, and collation centers were withheld, despite repeated letters sent by Pantami’s solicitors.
Ignored Directives from the Presidency
The withdrawal highlights a widening rift between local party machinery and the national leadership. Despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s explicit directives insisting on free, fair, and highly credible direct primaries, Pantami’s campaign claims these orders were completely ignored on the ground in Gombe.
Aspirants reported that during the legislative primaries, no physical voting occurred at designated wards, yet official results were abruptly announced.
Crowdfunded by the Youth: The “Pantamiyya” Factor
A unique aspect of Pantami’s campaign was its grassroots funding model. Unlike traditional aspirants, Pantami’s expression of interest and nomination forms were fully crowdfunded by local youth and supporters.
- Micro-Donations: Contributions poured in from thousands of ordinary citizens, ranging from small-scale donations of
N5,000to major contributions of4million. - Public Transparency: Transaction receipts were actively shared online by the contributors to display complete financial transparency.
In his exit statement, Pantami expressed profound gratitude to his coordinators, volunteers, financial contributors, and women’s groups, urging them to remain calm, orderly, and law-abiding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did Prof. Isa Pantami withdraw from the Gombe APC primaries?
Prof. Pantami withdrew in protest over severe violations of the Electoral Act 2026, a total lack of transparency regarding election venues and accreditation from Gombe APC officials, and the systematic exclusion of grassroots voters during the legislative primaries held earlier in the week.
When were the Gombe APC governorship primaries scheduled to take place?
The APC governorship primaries for Gombe State were officially scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026. Pantami’s withdrawal was announced on the morning of May 19, 2026.
What is the “Pantamiyya Movement”?
The Pantamiyya Movement is the socio-political organization, network of volunteers, students, and supporters dedicated to the political ideals and leadership of Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.
What are the next steps for Pantami and his supporters?
While Pantami has withdrawn from the APC primary under protest, he has not retired from the political landscape. The Pantamiyya Movement announced that they are actively reviewing their options and will communicate their next political alignments and future plans in due course.
What Lies Ahead for Gombe State Politics?
Pantami’s high-profile withdrawal places a massive question mark over the legitimacy of the APC’s upcoming primary. With the state’s most prominent challenger pulling out under protest and raising serious warning flags regarding legal non-compliance, the party faces a potential crisis of confidence.
All eyes now turn to the “Pantamiyya Movement” as supporters await instructions on their next political alignment.
Follow our political desk for live updates as this story continues to develop in Gombe State.
