Pantami's Exclusion Sparks Candidate Strategies in Gombe

Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, was excluded from the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) final list of governorship candidates for the 2027 election in Gombe State. This exclusion has created an opportunity for other candidates to appeal to Pantami's supporters, who had previously rallied behind his ambition to govern the state.

Political observers suggest that candidates cleared by INEC could leverage this situation to strengthen their political bases ahead of the election. However, attempts to ascertain how leading candidates plan to engage with Pantami's loyalists have yielded limited responses.

Sani Ibrahim Shawai, a spokesman for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Jamilu Isiyaku Gwamna, stated that their strategy would not be disclosed at this time. Similarly, Abdulladir Aliyu, a media aide to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, did not respond to inquiries.

The political landscape remains uncertain regarding formal outreach to Pantami's supporters.