Pantami Still Our Member, He Didn’t Resign Validly — Gombe APC

The Gombe State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has maintained that former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Ali Pantami, remains a member of the party, insisting that proper procedures were not followed regarding his resignation of membership of the party.

The clarification comes amid reports that Pantami recently emerged as the governorship candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State after participating in its primaries.

Speaking at a press briefing in Gombe on Tuesday, the APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Moses Kyari, said the party’s ward executive did not receive or deliberate on any resignation letter attributed to the former minister.

Kyari explained that 25 out of the 27 members of the Ward Executive Committee had publicly dismissed the resignation claim, describing it as false and unauthorised.

He said the ward leadership maintained that no formal resignation process was completed in line with the APC constitution, the Electoral Act, or Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines.

According to him, the Ward Chairman, Alhaji Bala Galda, confirmed that the alleged resignation letter by Pantami was reportedly dated May 19, 2026, but received on May 23, and delivered through an intermediary identified as Abba Pantami.

Kyari further alleged that ward officials were never given access to the document in question, raising doubts about its authenticity and procedural validity.

The party spokesperson insisted that under existing rules, Pantami remained an APC member until all required steps for resignation wsre properly verified and concluded.

He also dismissed claims attributed to Pantami suggesting that his move to the PDP and governorship ambition had the backing of President Bola Tinubu, describing such claims as misleading and inconsistent with the President’s loyalty to the APC.

Kyari highlighted what he described as the achievements of the APC-led administration in Gombe State under Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, noting improvements in governance, infrastructure development, and political stability.

He called on the national leadership of the APC and the Presidency to formally address the matter in order to prevent misinformation and clarify the party’s position to the public.

The APC in Gombe State reaffirmed its commitment to internal unity, transparency, and adherence to due process within the party structure.