Gombe, Nigeria — The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State has declared that Professor Isa Ali Pantami remains a member of the party despite his emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
The party said Pantami’s defection is yet to meet due process requirements, insisting there is no valid evidence of his resignation from the APC.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday, the APC State Publicity Secretary, Moses Kyari Bolde, said the party’s position is based on reports from the Ward Executive Committee.
“Twenty-five out of the twenty-seven members of the Ward Executive Committee stated that they neither saw nor deliberated on any resignation letter purportedly submitted by Professor Isa Ali Pantami,” Kyari said.
“They maintained that the claim was merely a fabrication orchestrated without the knowledge or approval of the Ward Executive Committee.”
Kyari further explained that although a resignation letter was reportedly received on May 23, 2026, and dated May 19, it was allegedly submitted by a third party, with no official confirmation or circulation to ward members.
“Despite repeated requests, members of the Ward Executive Committee have not been provided with a copy of the said letter,” he added.
“It is therefore our position that, based on the provisions of the APC Constitution, INEC guidelines, and the Electoral Act, Professor Isa Ali Pantami remains a member of the APC until all due processes are properly followed and verified.”
The party also rejected claims attributed to Pantami that his defection and governorship ambition in the PDP had the backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We categorically reject this assertion,” Kyari said, adding that the President remains loyal to the APC and would not support actions contrary to the party’s unity.
Pantami, a former APC governorship aspirant, withdrew from the party’s primary race shortly before the election, citing concerns over the process. He was subsequently declared the PDP governorship candidate following the party’s primary.
The APC urged its national leadership and the Presidency to clarify the situation to prevent misinformation, reaffirming its commitment to transparency and party unity.
