2027 Gombe election: Pantami secures major boost as PDP aspirant withdraws court case

2027 Gombe election: Pantami secures major boost as PDP aspirant withdraws court case

The 2027 Gombe State governorship election has taken a significant political turn as the governorship ambition of Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, received a major boost following the withdrawal of a court case challenging his emergence and the defection of two influential politicians to the party.

In a development expected to strengthen the PDP’s campaign ahead of the 2027 polls, one of the aggrieved governorship aspirants, Hon. Monica Yahaya Kaltho, formally withdrew from the legal action filed by some non-cleared aspirants challenging the outcome of the party’s governorship primary election.

The withdrawal comes amid ongoing efforts by the PDP leadership in Gombe State to reconcile aggrieved members and present a united front ahead of the governorship election.

During the PDP governorship congress, Pantami emerged as the party’s candidate through an affirmation process after other aspirants failed to scale the party’s screening exercise, a development that prompted some of them to seek judicial intervention.

Explaining her decision, Kaltho said she withdrew from the court case after extensive consultations with political associates and in response to an appeal by the leader of the PDP in Gombe State and former governor, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo.

According to her, Dankwambo urged her to place the unity and progress of the PDP above personal political interests. She described the former governor as a respected leader and father figure whose advice she deeply values, stressing that she accepted his counsel because the future of the PDP and the development of Gombe State were more important than individual ambition.

READ ALSO:

• MURIC backs FRSC bill to ban preaching, hawking in commercial buses
• Police Hunt Teacher Over Alleged Flogging to Death of 12-Year-Old Pupil in Anambra
• My Period Saved Me: Oyo Woman Escapes Rape by Armed Bororo Fulani Attackers

Kaltho also reaffirmed her unwavering support for Pantami’s governorship ambition, pledging to mobilise support and work for the PDP’s victory in the 2027 Gombe governorship election. She urged party members across the state to remain united and committed to the collective goal of returning the PDP to power.

Reacting to the development, Pantami praised Kaltho for demonstrating maturity, patriotism and loyalty to the party. He said her decision to withdraw from the legal challenge reflected genuine commitment to the unity of the PDP and the overall interest of Gombe State.

Pantami assured her and other party stakeholders that everyone would be carried along in the affairs of the party, promising an inclusive leadership style anchored on consultation and mutual respect.

As a mark of appreciation, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy personally visited Kaltho at her residence to thank her for her support and what he described as her statesmanship. He noted that sacrifices such as hers would help strengthen the PDP’s chances of winning the governorship election in 2027.

Pantami’s campaign also received another boost following the defection of Kelmi Lazarus, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in the 2023 general election.

Lazarus, a former Chairman of the SDP in Gombe State and former General Manager of Gombe Radio Corporation, announced his decision to join the PDP after what he described as wide consultations with his supporters.

He said his decision was based on his conviction that Pantami possesses the competence, integrity, vision and administrative experience required to provide purposeful leadership for Gombe State.

According to him, Pantami remains the most qualified candidate in the race and has the capacity to drive economic growth, improve governance and accelerate development across the state.

Lazarus called on his supporters and residents of Gombe State to rally behind the PDP candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

In another significant development, retired Air Vice Marshal B.A. Sani also dumped his former political platform and formally joined the PDP.

The retired senior military officer declared his total support for Pantami’s governorship ambition, describing the former minister as a visionary leader with the experience and credibility required to reposition Gombe State.

Sani said Pantami’s record in public service, leadership qualities and commitment to development inspired his decision to identify with the PDP. He pledged to work for the victory of Pantami and other PDP candidates during the 2027 general elections.

Receiving the new entrants into the party, Gombe State PDP Chairman, Major General A.K. Kwaskebe (Rtd), described the defections as a major boost for the party.

He said the decision by respected political figures to join the PDP reflected growing public confidence in Pantami’s leadership and the party’s vision for inclusive governance.

The party welcomed both Kelmi Lazarus and Air Vice Marshal B.A. Sani, assuring them of equal opportunities to contribute to the PDP’s mission of building a more peaceful, united and prosperous Gombe State.

Party leaders expressed optimism that the latest endorsements and defections would further strengthen the PDP’s grassroots mobilisation ahead of the governorship election.

Although Kaltho has withdrawn from the lawsuit, legal proceedings initiated by other aggrieved aspirants challenging Pantami’s emergence are still before the court.

The PDP has consistently maintained that the process that produced Pantami complied with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act, expressing confidence that the courts will uphold his nomination.

Political observers believe the latest wave of endorsements, reconciliation efforts and high-profile defections could significantly reshape the political landscape in Gombe State as preparations for the 2027 Gombe governorship election gather momentum.

2027 Gombe election: Pantami secures major boost as PDP aspirant withdraws court case