Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A former Nigerian minister has declared a political war without precedent, vowing to challenge what he calls an "injustice" in the selection of his party's governorship candidate for the 2027 election, even if it costs him his life. Professor Isa Ali Pantami, who served as Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, made the explosive declaration in an interview with BBC Hausa, throwing down the gauntlet against the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State. The controversy has thrown the ruling party into a fresh internal crisis, exposing deep fault lines that threaten to erupt into a legal and political battle that could reshape the political landscape of the North‑Eastern state.
The source of Pantami’s fury is the endorsement of Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna as the party’s consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 election. The announcement was made on Sunday following an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who is completing his second term and is widely seen as the kingmaker in the state’s succession politics. But Pantami, a seasoned politician and influential figure with a substantial grassroots following, has rejected the outcome outright, describing it not as a genuine consensus but as a "coronation." His rejection was not a mere protest; it was a declaration of war. In his BBC Hausa interview, he laid out a chilling ultimatum. "I will challenge this injustice of Gombe APC governorship consensus even if I lose my life doing it," Pantami said, his voice reportedly calm but unyielding. "If it’s direct primary, everybody knows, we will win. If there’s no justice, I will fight it legally, a fight like never seen before in Nigeria."
Pantami's legal argument rests on the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, which he says strictly outlines the only two lawful methods for political parties to nominate candidates. The first is consensus, which requires the written and voluntary consent of all cleared aspirants to step down for one candidate. The second is direct primaries, in which every registered party member votes. He insisted that the Gombe process failed to meet the conditions for a valid consensus. "By God’s truth, in terms of justice, what happened in Gombe State cannot be called a consensus," he said. "Consensus means that everyone agrees. First, everyone involved must personally agree to the outcome. Second, even those who are absent must have representatives acting on their behalf. Third, there must be an agreement which complies with the law. None of these three conditions were fulfilled." He further alleged that the process was riddled with irregularities, including a meeting notice of less than 20 hours, a timeframe that made it impossible for many aspirants to attend. He also claimed that the governor had promised a committee to oversee the process, a committee that was never appointed.
The APC in Gombe State has defended its actions, insisting that the consensus arrangement was legitimate and aimed at fostering party unity. In a statement, the State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Moses Kyari, said all aspirants were properly informed and invited to participate. He added that the party remains open to all aspirants and that those dissatisfied with the consensus are free to contest in direct primaries. However, this offer has done little to placate Pantami, who sees it as a hollow gesture. He argues that the party leadership has already shown its hand by anointing Gwamna, and that a direct primary would still favour the candidate with the backing of the state machinery.
Pantami’s threat of a legal challenge is not idle. He commanded significant resources during his tenure as minister and has cultivated a support base known as the Pantamiyya Movement. His supporters have already rejected the consensus arrangement, describing it as a violation of President Bola Tinubu’s instructions. In a statement, the Pantamiyya Movement accused the state party leadership of ignoring the president’s call for fairness and inclusivity. The group also announced that it was preparing for a legal showdown that could potentially invalidate the party’s entire list of candidates in the state. This would set the stage for a protracted legal battle that could distract the party from its campaign preparations and leave it vulnerable to opposition parties.
The list of consensus candidates unveiled on Sunday has left out several major political figures, a fact that has deepened the internal rancour. Senator Danjuma Goje, a former governor of the state, Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro, and Saidu Ahmed Alkali also rejected the consensus arrangement, expressing their dissatisfaction with the process. However, it is Pantami who has emerged as the most vocal and uncompromising critic. Goje, a wily political veteran, may opt for negotiation behind the scenes, but Pantami has shown no inclination to back down. His declaration that he is ready to "lose his life" in the struggle has raised the stakes, turning a routine party dispute into a test of wills that could have severe consequences.
The implications of the crisis extend far beyond Gombe State. The APC is already facing a fragmented opposition that is gradually coalescing around Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Any internal crisis that weakens the ruling party could provide an opening for the opposition to exploit. Moreover, President Tinubu has publicly advocated for "internal democracy" within the party, and a messy legal battle in Gombe would be an embarrassment, suggesting that his directives are being ignored by party chieftains. The perception that the APC is a house divided could dampen voter enthusiasm and affect turnout in the North‑East, a region the party won handily in 2023.
For Pantami, his political future hangs in the balance. A successful challenge could cement his status as a fearless defender of democratic principles and propel him to the governorship. A defeat could leave him politically isolated and diminish his influence. But the former minister seems undaunted by the risks. His words carried the weight of a man who has calculated the cost and found it acceptable. "What we demand is fairness. If injustice is done, we will fight it to the highest level," he declared. "You will witness a struggle against injustice unlike any seen before in Nigeria."
The legal battle, if it materializes, will be watched with keen interest by political observers across the country. It would test the strength of Nigeria's electoral laws and the ability of the judiciary to act as a neutral arbiter in intra‑party disputes. In the meantime, the APC in Gombe must navigate a treacherous path, balancing the demands of an aggrieved aspirant with the need to maintain order ahead of the 2027 elections. Governor Yahaya, who is expected to play a decisive role in shaping the succession, has not publicly responded to Pantami's latest outburst. But the silence is likely to be short‑lived. With Pantami promising a "fight like never seen before," the crisis in Gombe is far from over.
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