Pantami is still our member, Gombe PDP insists

The Gombe chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says its governorship candidate, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, remains a bonafide member of the party.

The PDP dismissed as misleading claims by the ruling APC that Pantami is still its member.

Abdulkadir Ahmad, PDP Publicity Secretary, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Gombe.

He said the gubernatorial candidate had fulfilled all constitutional and legal requirements for membership of the party after resigning from the APC.

Ahmed stressed that the PDP possessed all relevant documents confirming Pantami’s resignation from the APC, including acknowledgment by his former ward chairman.

“The PDP wishes to categorically state that Professor Pantami is a bonafide member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), having duly complied with all the constitutional and legal requirements for membership of our party,” he said.

He urged members of the APC and the electorate to disregard the claims by the PDP regarding Pantami’s political affiliation.

“The chairman of the APC in Pantami Ward had personally acknowledged receipt of Prof. Ali Ibrahim Pantami’s resignation letter on May 19, 2026. Evidence of the acknowledgment has circulated widely on social media.

“The APC is repeatedly raising the issue despite clear and documented facts.

“It should be noted that this is the third time the APC has organised a press conference on the same issue,” he said.

Ahmad also challenged the APC to focus on preparations for the forthcoming general election rather than engaging in distractions.

While reaffirming the commitment of the PDP to issue-based campaigns and good governance, Ahmad said the constitution and Electoral Act guarantee freedom of association, and Pantami was free to join any political party of his choice.

It will be recalled that the APC had earlier claimed that Pantami still remained its member.

Addressing a news conference on Tuesday in Gombe, APC’s spokesman, Moses Kyari, said that Pantami remained a member of the party because it had not officially received his resignation letter.

Kyari also accused Pantami of violating the APC constitution, the Electoral Act and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, guidelines in his bid to contest for the Gombe governorship election.
NAN