APC, PDP Disagree Over Pantami’s Party Membership in Gombe

 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have exchanged words over the political status of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Ali Pantami, following his emergence as the PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State ahead of the 2027 elections.

The APC maintained that Pantami remains a member of the ruling party, arguing that due process was not followed in his purported resignation.

Speaking in Gombe, the APC Publicity Secretary, Moses Kyari, said the party’s ward executive committee neither received nor deliberated on any resignation letter allegedly submitted by the former minister.

He added that under the APC Constitution, the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, Pantami remains an APC member until all required procedures are completed and verified.

Kyari also dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu endorsed Pantami’s defection to the PDP, calling on the Presidency and the APC national leadership to clarify the matter.

In response, the PDP insisted that Pantami had validly resigned from the APC and fulfilled all constitutional requirements to become a member of the opposition party.

In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Abdulkadir Dukku, the PDP said it possesses documentary evidence confirming Pantami’s resignation, adding that the resignation letter was acknowledged by the APC ward chairman on May 19, 2026.

The opposition party described the APC’s repeated press briefings on the matter as unnecessary and urged the ruling party to focus on preparations for the forthcoming elections.

The PDP also cited constitutional provisions guaranteeing freedom of association and reaffirmed its commitment to issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State.