GOMBE, NIGERIA — May 26, 2026
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has officially defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and emerged as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Gombe State.
Pantami clinched the PDP ticket through a voice affirmation conducted during the party’s governorship primary election held on Tuesday in Gombe.
The development marks a major political shift in Gombe State ahead of the 2027 general elections, as Pantami was previously associated with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), under which he served in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Party delegates at the primary reportedly endorsed Pantami unanimously, paving the way for his emergence as the PDP flag bearer without opposition.
Pantami, a prominent Islamic scholar and former university lecturer, served as minister from 2019 to 2023 and was widely recognised for spearheading Nigeria’s digital economy reforms, including the expansion of the National Identification Number (NIN) registration and digital policy initiatives.
Political observers believe his entry into the PDP governorship race could reshape the political landscape in Gombe State, where both the PDP and APC are expected to engage in a fierce contest ahead of the 2027 polls.
Further details surrounding his defection and campaign strategy are expected to emerge in the coming days.
