A former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, has warned the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the credibility of its governorship primary in Gombe State will determine not only the party’s internal stability but also public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Pantami said the ruling party must conduct a transparent, fair and independent primary if it hopes to retain the confidence of its members and the electorate ahead of the 2027 elections.
NewsWatch Nigeria reports that Pantami spoke with journalists on Saturday, May 9, after undergoing screening at the APC governorship aspirants’ exercise held at the Kaduna State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.
The former minister has been one of the major voices opposing the reported consensus arrangement in Gombe State, following the alleged endorsement of Jamilu Isiyaku Gwamna as the party’s consensus candidate.
Pantami had earlier described the arrangement as a “charade” and vowed to resist it in an “unprecedented” manner.
Speaking after the screening, Pantami said the APC national leadership’s decision to invite all aspirants for screening showed that the party still had an opportunity to prove it was committed to fairness and internal justice.
He said, “Since we were invited for screening, it is an indication that the party at the national level has given each and every Nigerian a fair chance.”
Pantami stressed that internal democracy remained central to the survival of any political party, adding that the APC must ensure that its processes are not only fair but also seen to be fair by members and the public.
According to him, justice within political parties is critical to the growth and survival of democracy in Nigeria.
He said direct primaries could strengthen the APC if they were conducted credibly and protected from manipulation.
“Direct primaries must be transparent, fair, and independent. Anyone with bias should not be in charge of it,” Pantami added.
The former minister, however, commended the conduct of the exercise, describing it as processional and encouraging.
He said the screening committee was objective and friendly in its handling of the aspirants.
“Very transparent, very objective, very friendly, and it is really encouraging so far,” he said.
Pantami also argued that his ambition to govern Gombe State was not built on empty campaign promises but on what he described as a record of measurable performance in public office.
He said, “I have my scorecard. This is not the first time I’m going into public office.”
The former minister claimed that independent assessments by KPMG, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation ranked him as the top-performing cabinet member in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2019 and 2023.
Meanwhile, the immediate past Minister of Foreign Affairs and Bauchi governorship aspirant, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, also described his screening as smooth.
Tuggar said his long involvement in the APC and its legacy parties made the process straightforward.
He, however, expressed doubts over the possibility of a consensus arrangement in Bauchi State, saying the number of aspirants in the race made such an option unlikely.
The former minister urged the APC to prioritise and commit to grassroots politicians, stressing that the party’s strength lies in candidates who have switched to the party.
