Leaders and members of the political structure of former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and former Senator representing Gombe North, Bayero Nafada, have declared their support for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, distancing themselves from Nafada’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The endorsement came after a meeting between Mr Pantami and leaders of the political structure drawn from the 11 local government areas of Gombe State.
The delegation, led by the State Coordinator of the Bayero Nafada political structure, Malachi Karfe Kanadi, included Hon. Umaru Bajam Bayero and other prominent leaders representing the 11 LGAs.
Addressing the meeting, the delegation reaffirmed its loyalty to the PDP and pledged to mobilise support across the state to ensure Pantami’s victory in the 2027 governorship election.
The leaders acknowledged their long-standing political relationship with Nafada but said they had resolved not to follow him to the APC following his defection to the ruling party.
According to them, while they remained grateful for Nafada’s leadership over the years, their political allegiance remains with the PDP, which they described as the platform capable of providing effective leadership for Gombe State.
They expressed confidence in Pantami’s leadership qualities and pledged to deploy their political structures across the state’s 11 local government areas to strengthen the PDP’s grassroots support ahead of the 2027 governorship poll.
Receiving the delegation, Pantami expressed appreciation for what he described as a significant vote of confidence in his candidacy.
He assured the leaders that they would be fully involved in the party’s activities and decision-making process, promising an inclusive leadership that would accommodate all stakeholders.
The PDP governorship candidate said unity among party members would be critical to reclaiming power in Gombe State in 2027. He called on party faithful to close ranks and work together to build a formidable platform capable of winning the governorship election.
Mr Pantami expressed optimism that with sustained commitment, grassroots mobilisation and collective effort, the PDP would emerge victorious at the polls.
“I appreciate your confidence and support. I assure you that everyone will be carried along as we work together to strengthen our party and achieve victory in the 2027 governorship election, by the grace of God,” he said.
Mr Pantami received the delegation in the company of the PDP North-East Zonal Auditor, Hon. Jalo Ahmed Ganga; former Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, Dr. Abubakar Saidu Yagi; former Secretary of the Gombe State Pilgrims Board, Hon. Usman Gurama; and Hon. Ahmed Abubakar Walama, the Sarkin Malaman Gombe.
The endorsement comes amid ongoing political realignments in Gombe State following Nafada’s defection to the APC, with political observers closely watching how the development may reshape the state’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.