Buhari’s Ex-Minister, Pantami Makes U-turn On PDP, Hails Party’s 16-year Rule

A former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy under the late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, Isa Pantami, has defended his decision to accept the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket in Gombe State, despite his past criticism of the party.

Pantami, who was previously a strong critic of PDP administrations at both federal and state levels, said his decision was informed by what he described as the party’s development record in Gombe State.

The former minister said the state witnessed a major transformation during the 16 years the PDP governed it, adding that he was prepared to revive and expand the development initiatives introduced during that period.

“The PDP ruled in Gombe for 16 years from 2003 to 2019, and it transformed the state from a rural community to urban settlements, and most of the major achievements in the state were under the PDP,” Pantami stated.

Naija News recalls that Pantami emerged as the governorship candidate of a PDP faction said to be linked to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and former Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo.

He secured the ticket on Tuesday through a voice vote, just days after defecting from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition party.

His emergence has, however, sparked protests and rejection from some aspirants within the PDP, who faulted the process that produced him as the party’s candidate.

Pantami had left the APC after rejecting a consensus arrangement reportedly backed by Governor Inuwa Yahaya, which produced Jamilu Gwamna as the APC governorship candidate.

‘We Will Build On PDP Legacy’

Speaking after securing the ticket, Pantami said his administration, if elected, would focus on building on the achievements of previous PDP governments in the state.

The former minister pointed to higher institutions, health facilities, road networks and other projects established during past PDP administrations as examples of what he described as the party’s legacy in Gombe.

“With this mandate, we will build on the legacy that has been established earlier, particularly on human development,” he added.

Pantami said his administration would prioritise education, skills development and youth empowerment as part of efforts to improve living conditions in the state.

The former minister also expressed concern over what he described as the rising level of poverty in Gombe State.

Citing the National Multidimensional Poverty Index, Pantami said the state had fallen into a worrying economic condition, adding that urgent intervention was needed to lift residents out of hardship.

“As it is today, according to the national multidimensional poverty index, Gombe is the third poorest state, our people are living in abject poverty, we plan to ensure we lift the people out of poverty, using education and skills development, agriculture, and industrialisation through foreign direct investment for the state,” he said.

Pantami promised that, if elected, his administration would attract foreign direct investment to the state, strengthen agriculture and promote industrialisation.

He said his government would also focus on skills development, particularly for young people, as part of a broader plan to create jobs and reduce poverty.

The former minister further pledged to introduce state-sponsored welfare programmes for orphans across Gombe State.

According to him, the planned welfare initiatives would form part of his administration’s human development agenda and support for vulnerable groups.

His defection and sudden emergence as the PDP governorship candidate are expected to shape political alignments in Gombe ahead of the 2027 election.