Pantami, Alkali Fall Short as APC Chooses Gwamna in Gombe

By Endurance Enemona Samuel

GOMBE, Nigeria — Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, and former Minister of Transportation, Said Ahmed Alkali, have lost the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Gombe State, The Bureau Journal reports.

Dr. Jamilu Isiyaku Gwamna emerged winner of the direct primary election after securing a wide margin of votes across the state.

Gwamna Wins by Large Margin

According to the official results announced by the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, Gwamna polled 247,161 votes in the exercise conducted across the 11 local government areas of Gombe State.

Pantami scored 12,120 votes, while Said Ahmed Alkali received 11,612 votes.

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APC Committee Describes Exercise as Credible

Chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, Senator Sani Danladi, declared Gwamna winner of the primary after the collation of results at the APC State Secretariat in Gombe.

Danladi described the exercise as peaceful, transparent and credible, adding that the process complied with the party’s guidelines and provisions of the Electoral Act.

“The exercise reflected the popularity and organisational strength of the APC in Gombe State,” Danladi said.

INEC Officials, Observers Monitor Process

The collation of results was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Umar Mukhtar Gajiram.

Security personnel, journalists, party officials and election observers were also present during the announcement of the results.

Pantami Suffers Major Political Setback

The outcome marks a significant political setback for Pantami, who had earlier raised concerns over alleged irregularities surrounding the APC governorship process in the state.

Despite his objections, the direct primary election proceeded, producing Gwamna as the party’s governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.

Attention Shifts to General Election

With the APC primary concluded, political attention in Gombe State is expected to shift toward preparations for the governorship election as parties begin broader campaign activities.