Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has addressed the exclusion of his name from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) updated list of candidates for the 2027 Gombe State governorship election.
In a statement issued on his behalf by Professor Suleiman Mohammed Gombe on Saturday, Pantami urged his supporters to stay calm, remain optimistic, and maintain their resolve despite the development.
The statement noted that Pantami had emerged as the leading candidate following a fresh primary election conducted on September 29, 2026, pursuant to a Federal High Court ruling.
The statement reads in part, “Our attention has been drawn to the non-publication of the name of our candidate from the fresh primary election of September 29, 2026, as ordered by the Federal High Court, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), CON, PhD, FCIIS, FBCS, FNCS, in the list released by INEC, and we understand the concerns this has raised among our teeming supporters in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Pantamiyya Movement across Gombe State and beyond.
“We wish to assure all our supporters to remain calm, steadfast and hopeful. This is a temporary challenge and a normal part of the electoral process, not a final determination, in sha Allah.
Speaking further, Pantami urged supporters to continue their mobilisation and remain focused on the collective ideology of service to humanity.
He also added that the PDP and Pantamiyya Movement remain strong, united and committed to the rescue and emancipation of it’s people.
Backstory…
On Saturday, October 10, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) omitted the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, from its final list of 16 approved candidates for the Gombe State governorship election scheduled for February 6, 2027.
Although Pantami appeared on the initial candidate list issued on August 29, the electoral commission omitted his name from the updated final roster.
This development mirrors a parallel situation in Ogun State, where INEC’s final governorship roster similarly excludes the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer, Ladi Adebutu, alongside his running mate.
Read Also; INEC Omits PDP’s Isa Pantami From Final List for Gombe Governorship Election
