Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, has vowed to expose those he accused of conspiring to frustrate his governorship ambition in Gombe State, saying investigations have uncovered the alleged plotters.
Pantami, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, said the names of those allegedly involved and details of their actions would soon be made public.
He spoke in a video shared on his verified Facebook page on Saturday, days after the expiration of the deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for political parties to challenge the exclusion of candidates from its final list.
“Our investigations have now confirmed that these allegations are true. There is no amount of money or effort that has not been expended in an attempt to scuttle this movement,” he said.
Pantami, however, did not name those he accused or provide details of the evidence gathered during the investigations.
The former minister urged his supporters to remain steadfast in prayers and not allow criticism or the uncertainty surrounding his candidacy to discourage them.
He thanked residents who had organised prayers in mosques and churches in support of his ambition, describing their commitment as a source of encouragement.
“You canvassed support, mobilised people, enlightened them and remained steadfast throughout this period. This is commendable, and this is a sign of true piety,” he said.
“Do not relent. Do not be angry or discouraged, because you are the ones who will be elevated, provided you remain steadfast in your belief in Allah.”
Pantami also criticised those mocking his supporters for seeking divine intervention, warning that such ridicule should not discourage them from continuing their prayers.
The former minister’s governorship ambition has faced a series of political and legal challenges ahead of the 2027 general election.
Pantami, who was previously a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), left the party after it settled for Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna as its consensus governorship candidate in Gombe State.
He subsequently joined the PDP and emerged as its governorship candidate on May 26, 2026.
However, his emergence was challenged in court by Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, another aspirant who sought the PDP ticket. A Federal High Court in Gombe nullified the primary and ordered a fresh exercise, which Pantami won.
His candidacy later faced further uncertainty following a September 24 Supreme Court judgment concerning the eligibility of candidates whose names were not included in party membership registers submitted to INEC within the stipulated period.
Although INEC listed Pantami as a governorship candidate on August 29, his name was absent from the commission’s updated list released in October.
Pantami, through his lawyers, subsequently gave INEC a three-day ultimatum to reinstate his name, arguing that he had fulfilled the requirements for participation in the election.
The commission maintained that candidates omitted from the final list remained excluded, while directing political parties that considered the decision erroneous to submit their complaints by October 24, 2026.
Despite the uncertainty, Pantami has maintained that his exclusion is a temporary setback, urging his supporters to remain committed to his political movement.
He said those allegedly working against his ambition would eventually be exposed and called on his supporters to continue doing good and avoid being distracted by the ongoing controversy.