2027: Pantami alleges intimidation of supporters, raises security concerns

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Gombe State, Isa Ali Pantami, has alleged that some government officials are plotting against him and intimidating his supporters as he continues his thank-you tour across parts of the state.

Mr Pantami made the allegations in a statement issued on Tuesday following his visits to Shongom, Kaltungo and Billiri Local Government Areas, where he met with party leaders and supporters.

The former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy claimed that the success of the tour had unsettled an unnamed individual, whom he accused of seeking details of his movements to execute what he described as “evil plans” against him.

He said the reception he received during the visits demonstrated the support he enjoys across the state.

“Yesterday, Monday, we commenced a thank-you visit and meetings with our party leaders in Shongom, Kaltungo and Billiri Local Government Areas. The reception was a huge success, and our citizens in the three LGAs received us with world-class hospitality,” he said.

According to Pantami, the unnamed individual became concerned after seeing videos from the visits and allegedly began making enquiries about his itinerary.

“He saw the videos and is worried because his hypothesis has failed woefully. As a result, he started asking for our itinerary to make evil plans against us. How can those who swore on the Holy Book to protect the people be planning evil against those they lead?” he alleged.

The PDP governorship candidate maintained that he had a constitutional right to move freely throughout the country, citing Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

“For his information, our itinerary for today is Akko, Balanga and Yamaltu-Deba, by the special grace of Allah. We also heard your special plan in Akko LGA,” he added.

Mr Pantami also alleged that some of his supporters were being intimidated through government institutions because of their political affiliation.

“He is intimidating our supporters on a daily basis using government institutions and even threatening them with arrest simply because of their loyalty to us. This is a clear violation of their constitutional right to freedom of association as provided under Section 40 of the Constitution,” he said.

He further alleged attempts to prevent the circulation of information relating to payments allegedly made to some Hausa musicians.

“Some of our supporters have been asked to stop posting or sharing any information regarding the huge sums of money given to Hausa singers from Kano. How can we suppress a story when one of them has left the group and revealed the facts and figures?” he queried.

Mr Pantami called on security agencies and other relevant government institutions to investigate the alleged threats and ensure the safety of political actors.

“We urge our party leaders, supporters and all members of the Pantamiyya Movement not to be intimidated by these evil plans. We also call on the relevant government institutions to monitor and identify those who are planning evil against others,” he said.

Quoting from the Qur’an and the Bible, Mr Pantami urged his supporters to remain steadfast despite the alleged intimidation.

“So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are believers,” he quoted from Surah Ali ‘Imran, Verse 139.

He also warned against attempts to undermine the popularity of political opponents, saying such actions would ultimately be counterproductive.

“Any attempt to appropriate or denigrate the popularity of others will backfire and further undermine your own standing. May Allah continue to expose evil planners in our society and bring them to ridicule,” he said.

Mr Pantami did not identify the government officials he accused, and there was no immediate response from the Gombe State Government or security agencies to the allegations at the time of filing this report.