The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State has rejected claims that President Bola Tinubu approved or supported the defection of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking with journalists in Gombe on Tuesday, the APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Moses Kyari, said President Tinubu remained committed to the party and had never supported actions that could undermine the APC.
Kyari was reacting to comments attributed to Pantami suggesting that his decision to leave the APC for the PDP, where he later became the party’s governorship candidate, had received the President’s approval.
“President Tinubu has no record of engaging in anti-party activities. To suggest that he authorised or endorsed Pantami’s move to the PDP is completely false,” Kyari said.
He added that the President, having spent years building the APC, would not encourage any action capable of weakening the party.
Kyari urged the APC national leadership and the Presidency to respond to what he described as Pantami’s misinformation campaign, warning that failure to address the claims could create confusion among party members and voters.
The APC spokesman also questioned the validity of Pantami’s resignation from the party, insisting that the state chapter had not received any official notice of his exit.
He argued that Pantami’s alleged resignation process did not comply with the APC constitution, the Electoral Act, or guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to Kyari, executives in 25 of the 27 wards across the state were unaware of any resignation letter submitted by Pantami.
Kyari, however, maintained that the APC remained united and focused ahead of future elections.
Meanwhile, the PDP in Gombe State has defended Pantami’s membership of the party, insisting that he fulfilled all constitutional and legal requirements before joining its ranks.
“The PDP wishes to categorically state that Professor Pantami is a bonafide member of the Peoples Democratic Party, having duly complied with all the constitutional and legal requirements for membership of our party,” Ahmad said.
He dismissed the APC’s claims, stating that Pantami’s resignation letter was acknowledged by the APC chairman in Pantami Ward on May 19, 2026.