Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The political landscape in Gombe State witnessed a significant shift on Monday, July 27, 2026, as two key officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Pantami Ward resigned their positions and defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Chairman of the APC in Pantami Ward, Gombe Local Government Area, Bala Salihu Ngalda, and the party's Legal Adviser in the ward, Babangida Atiku Gololo, formally severed ties with the ruling party in separate resignation letters dated July 27, 2026, addressed to the Secretary of the APC in Pantami Ward.
In his resignation letter, Ngalda announced his decision to step down as Ward Chairman and withdraw his membership from the APC with immediate effect. He stated that the decision followed extensive consultations with his family and urged the party to respect his choice. Despite his departure, Ngalda expressed appreciation to the APC leadership at the local, state and national levels for the opportunity to serve, while also acknowledging the support he received from the Gombe State Government during his tenure. "I wish to use this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the Party at the Local Government, State, and National levels for the opportunity given to me to serve in this capacity. I am equally grateful to the Gombe State Government at large for the support and cooperation extended throughout my tenure," his letter read. He added, "Although I am stepping away from my position and membership, I will continue to hold the Party and its ideals in high regard, and I wish it continued growth and success going forward".
Similarly, Gololo announced his resignation as the party's Legal Adviser in Pantami Ward and his withdrawal from the APC with immediate effect. He said his decision was reached after careful consultation with his family. He also appreciated the APC leadership at all levels and the Gombe State Government for the opportunity to serve and for the support extended to him during his tenure. Despite leaving the party, Gololo said he would continue to hold the APC in high regard and wished it success in its future endeavours. Although neither resignation letter stated a specific reason for their exit, both former ward executives have since joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The defection of the two ward executives comes amid a broader wave of political realignments in Gombe State, centered around the governorship ambition of Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, a former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy. Pantami, who had been a member of the APC, defected to the PDP in May 2026 after losing out in the APC's governorship primary, citing irregularities and injustice. He secured the PDP governorship ticket shortly after his defection. The APC leadership in Gombe has insisted that Pantami remains a member of the party, but the PDP has maintained that Pantami formally resigned from the APC on May 19, 2026, with his resignation letter acknowledged by the then APC chairman in Pantami Ward.
The latest defections add to a growing trend of political movements across party lines in Gombe State, with stakeholders in several states repositioning in anticipation of the 2027 electoral cycle. In a related development, a former House of Representatives aspirant under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Aliyu Abubakar Turaki, also declared support for Pantami's governorship ambition and announced his defection to the PDP alongside his supporters. Turaki, who aspired to represent the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency, said his decision followed extensive consultations with stakeholders and that Pantami's achievements in education, the digital economy and youth empowerment made him the right candidate to lead Gombe State.
Political observers say the latest wave of defections underscores the shifting alliances in Gombe State's political space and could further reshape the contest for the state's top seat in the build-up to the 2027 elections. The APC and the PDP have continued to engage in intense grassroots mobilisation as both parties seek to consolidate their influence in strategic wards and local government areas across the country. The defection of the Pantami Ward chairman and legal adviser is expected to alter the political landscape in the ward, a key political base in Gombe Local Government Area. Reacting to the latest defections, Prof. Pantami welcomed the new members into the PDP fold, describing the development as a significant gain for the party's grassroots mobilisation efforts.
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