The Gombe State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has reiterated that the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Ali Pantami, remains a member of the party, insisting that due process was not followed regarding his purported resignation.
Recall that Pantami recently emerged as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Gombe State after the APC primary, which produced Jamilu Gwamna.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Gombe, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Moses Kyari, said the APC executive committee in Pantami’s Ward had earlier clarified that it neither received nor deliberated on any resignation letter allegedly submitted by the former minister.
Kyari said 25 out of the 27 members of the ward executive maintained that the claim of Pantami’s resignation was “a fabrication orchestrated without the knowledge or approval of the Ward Executive Committee.”
“As you may recall, twenty-five out of the twenty-seven members of the Ward Executive Committee publicly stated that they neither saw nor deliberated on any resignation letter purportedly submitted by Professor Ali Isa Pantami.
“They maintained that the claim was merely a fabrication orchestrated without the knowledge or approval of the Ward Executive Committee”, he said.
According to him, the Ward Chairman, Alhaji Bala Galda, disclosed that the alleged resignation letter was received on May 23, 2026, despite being dated May 19, and was delivered by one Abba Pantami.
“Despite repeated requests, members of the Ward Executive Committee have not been provided with a copy of the said letter,” Kyari stated.
He argued that under the provisions of the APC Constitution, INEC guidelines and the Electoral Act, Pantami remains an APC member until the appropriate procedures are duly completed and verified.
“It is therefore our position that Professor Ali Isa Pantami remains a member of the APC until all due processes are properly followed and verified,” he said.
The APC spokesperson also dismissed claims allegedly made by Pantami during a televised interview on TVC that his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party and his governorship ambition had the blessing of President Bola Tinubu.
“We categorically reject this assertion. President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a committed leader of the APC and has consistently demonstrated loyalty to the party.
“It is difficult to believe that the President would endorse activities that are contrary to the interests and unity of the APC”, he said.
He further highlighted what he described as the achievements of the APC administration in Gombe State under Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, citing improvements in governance, infrastructure, peace and political stability.
“The governor has strengthened the party’s presence across the state, with overwhelming representation at the National Assembly, State House of Assembly and local government levels,” he said.
Kyari said the party found no justification for claims suggesting that President Tinubu had endorsed Pantami’s political ambitions outside the APC.
“Given these achievements and the continued growth of the APC in Gombe State, we find no basis for the claims being circulated regarding any endorsement of Professor Pantami’s political ambitions outside the party,” he added.
He called on the national leadership of the APC and the Presidency to publicly address the issue to avoid misleading the public.
“We therefore call on the national leadership of the APC and the Presidency to publicly clarify and dispel these claims in order to prevent misinformation and avoid misleading the people,” Kyari said.
He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to transparency and unity.