2027: PDP, APC bicker over Pantami

The Gombe State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have locked horns over the membership of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami. While the APC insisted that Pantami remains a member of the party, arguing that the constitutional procedures governing resignation from the […]

The Gombe State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have locked horns over the membership of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami.

While the APC insisted that Pantami remains a member of the party, arguing that the constitutional procedures governing resignation from the party were not followed, the PDP stated that Pantami is a bonafide member of the party, having duly complied with all the constitutional and legal requirements for its membership.

Addressing journalists in Gombe on Tuesday, the State Publicity Secretary of APC, Mr Moses Kyari, said executive members of Pantami Ward had disowned reports that the former minister had formally resigned from the ruling party.

According to him, 25 out of the 27 ward executives maintained that they neither received nor deliberated on any resignation letter purportedly submitted by Pantami.

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“They insisted that the claim of his resignation was a fabrication carried out without the knowledge or approval of the ward executive committee,” Kyari said.

However, in a press statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Abdulkadir Ahmad Dukku, the PDP stated that Prof. Pantami, remains a member of the PDP.

‘This claim is not only laughable but a display of ignorance of the Electoral Law and our Party’s Constitution.’

“We wish to categorically state that Prof. Pantami is a bonafide member of the PDP, having duly complied with all the constitutional and legal requirements for membership of our party.

“The PDP possesses all relevant documents confirming his resignation from his former party acknowledged by his then Ward Chairman.

“We, therefore, call on APC members and all Nigerians from the national down to the ward level, as well as the general public, to disregard the misleading claims being circulated by the APC in Gombe State,” Dukku said.

The publicity secretary further stated that the APC should rather focus on preparing for the forthcoming general election, instead of engaging in unnecessary distractions.

Dukku added, “It should be noted that this is the third time the APC has organised a press conference on the same issue, despite the facts being clear and well documented.

“If the APC lacks confidence in its candidate, it should address its internal concerns instead of insisting that Prof. Isa Pantami must stay in their party.”

According to him, the PDP remains committed to issue-based campaigns and providing the people of Gombe state with credible leadership and good governance.