Professor Isa Ali Pantami, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, has officially withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Gombe State. 

The announcement was made on Tuesday via a formal statement issued by Barrister Ibrahim M. Attahir on behalf of the Pantamiyya Movement.

Alleged Electoral Act Violations and Lack of Transparency

According to the statement, Pantami’s decision to pull out of the race stems from direct violations of the Electoral Act 2026, alongside a failure by the APC leadership to ensure a transparent and credible process.

The statement further disclosed that legal counsel representing the former minister had previously submitted formal inquiries to party officials regarding the administration of the upcoming primaries. These communications were reportedly neither acknowledged nor answered by the party leadership.

Commitment to Due Process

The Pantamiyya Movement emphasized that adherence to established legal frameworks is vital for democratic integrity, stating that the party's current approach compromises the legitimacy of the primary election.

"In a democracy, the law must guide the process," the statement read. "Non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 and the party guidelines renders the exercise unsafe and illegitimate."

At the time of reporting, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress has not issued an official response to the allegations or to Professor Pantami's withdrawal from the race.