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…I will prioritise education, jobs, healthcare — Pantami
The 2027 governorship race in Gombe State has taken an interesting turn, as condolence visits by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, repeatedly turned into large gatherings across Gombe metropolis.
Mr Pantami, a former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, moved through different parts of the state on Sunday and Monday to condole with bereaved families and visit traditional institutions and prominent citizens.
But what began as routine condolence visits soon became a crowd-pulling spectacle, with residents gathering along the streets and around his convoy at several points.
Videos and photographs from the visits showed large numbers of residents lining the streets and surrounding Pantami’s convoy as he moved through the metropolis.
The gatherings were not formal campaign rallies.
Rather, they occurred as Mr Pantami moved between condolence visits and other engagements.
His supporters described the crowds as organic, saying residents came out voluntarily to welcome the former minister.
On Sunday, Mr Pantami visited Herwagana and Shamaki wards to offer condolences to families who had lost loved ones.
As he returned through Gombe metropolis, residents gathered along his route, with some following his convoy and others lining the streets to welcome him.
The crowd scenes were repeated on Monday when Mr Pantami visited the Bolari Emirate to condole with the family and associates of the late Hakimin Bolari, Ahmad Abubakar.
Another large gathering reportedly formed as Mr Pantami moved through the metropolis after the visit.
Mr Pantami also paid a courtesy visit to retired Justice Mu’azu Abdulqadir Pindiga at his residence in Pantami, Gombe.
During the meeting, Mr Pantami sought the retired judge’s fatherly advice, support and solidarity as he pursues his ambition to govern Gombe State on the platform of the PDP.
Justice Pindiga thanked Mr Pantami for the visit and commended his courage, intellect and service to the nation.
He prayed for Allah’s guidance and success for Pantami in his aspiration to serve the people of Gombe State.
Responding, the governorship hopeful said his priorities for Gombe included strengthening education and human capital development, expanding economic opportunities for young people, improving healthcare and infrastructure, and using technology to make government services more accessible and efficient.
He said his approach would focus on accountable governance, prudent management of public resources and policies that address the needs of communities across the state.
Mr Pantami also thanked Gombe residents for the reception during his recent condolence visits and other engagements.
He said he would continue to consult widely with traditional rulers, community leaders, professionals, youths, women and other stakeholders to understand their concerns and incorporate their views into his development agenda.
He urged residents to remain peaceful and participate actively in the political process ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The former minister’s movements have attracted growing political attention since he emerged as the PDP governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
Mr Pantami had earlier withdrawn from the APC governorship primary in the state before joining the PDP and securing its ticket.
The latest crowd scenes have therefore provided fresh talking points among supporters and political observers, particularly because they occurred outside conventional campaign rallies.
There were also allegations that the Chairman of Gombe Local Government Area, Abdullahi Bappa Garkuwa, deployed resources, thugs and other persons in an attempt to frustrate Pantami’s movements across the state.
The allegations could not be independently verified.
No evidence was provided in the account to establish the alleged involvement of the council chairman or any other individual in attempts to disrupt the visits.
Those making the allegations, however, claimed that the alleged efforts did not stop Pantami from carrying out his engagements or prevent residents from gathering around him.
For Pantami’s supporters, the scenes represent a growing personal following for the former minister as he begins the long road to the 2027 governorship election.
The significance of the gatherings, however, remains a matter for voters and the electoral process to determine.
For now, Pantami’s condolence visits have provided some of the most visible crowd scenes around a political figure in Gombe in recent days, turning otherwise private engagements into a conspicuous feature of the state’s emerging 2027 political contest.
