Pantami Defends PDP Ticket Amid Criticism
Isa Pantami, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy under President Muhammadu Buhari, has defended his decision to accept the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket for Gombe State, despite his earlier criticism of the party.
Once a vocal opponent of PDP administrations at federal and state levels, Pantami said his change of heart stems from the party’s development record in Gombe, which he claims transformed the state from a rural area into urban settlements during its 16‑year rule from 2003 to 2019.
He secured the nomination on Tuesday via a voice vote, just days after leaving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the opposition PDP.
His emergence, however, has triggered protests from some PDP aspirants who question the legitimacy of the selection process that produced him as the party’s candidate.
Pantami explained that he quit the APC after rejecting a consensus arrangement reportedly backed by Governor Inuwa Yahaya, which had nominated Jamilu Gwamna as the APC’s governorship hopeful.
Speaking after clinching the ticket, Pantami said his administration, if elected, would build on the achievements of previous PDP governments in Gombe, focusing on human development.
He pointed to higher institutions, health facilities, road networks and other infrastructure projects established under past PDP administrations as evidence of the party’s legacy.
“With this mandate, we will build on the legacy that has been established earlier, particularly on human development,” he added.
Pantami said his government would prioritize education, skills development and youth empowerment to improve living conditions across the state.
He also voiced concern over rising poverty, citing the National Multidimensional Poverty Index that ranks Gombe as the third poorest state in Nigeria, and warned that urgent action is needed.
To tackle poverty, his plan includes attracting foreign direct investment, revitalising agriculture, promoting industrialisation, and launching skills‑training programmes for young people to create jobs.
Furthermore, Pantami pledged to introduce state‑sponsored welfare programmes for orphans, describing them as part of a broader human‑development agenda aimed at supporting vulnerable groups.
The former minister’s defection and sudden rise as the PDP governorship hopeful are expected to influence political dynamics in Gombe ahead of the 2027 general election.
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