The Gombe State chapter of the All Progressives Congress said Professor Ali Pantami has not resigned and remains a member of the party [1, 2, 3].
The dispute over Pantami's affiliation highlights growing tensions between Nigeria's major political parties in Gombe State as they vie for influence and membership. The outcome of this disagreement could signal a shift in regional political alliances.
According to the APC, Pantami remains a party member because no formal resignation was submitted or processed through the proper channels [1, 2, 3]. The party said that any alleged defection to the People's Democratic Party lacks the necessary due process to be valid [1, 2, 3].
Conversely, the Gombe State chapter of the PDP maintains that Pantami has already resigned from the APC [4]. The PDP said Pantami is now a bonafide member of their party and accused the APC of spreading falsehoods to obscure the fact of his departure [4].
This conflict stems from contradictory accounts of Pantami's status. While the APC asserts that its membership rolls still include the professor, the PDP insists a resignation was submitted [1, 4]. The APC said that until a formal process is completed, any claims of defection are premature [1, 2].
Professor Pantami previously served as a minister in the federal government. His current political standing in Gombe State remains a point of contention between the two parties as they trade accusations regarding the legitimacy of his party membership [1, 4].
“The Gombe State chapter of the APC says Ali Pantami has not resigned and remains a party member”
The disagreement between the APC and PDP reflects a broader pattern of political volatility in Nigeria, where party defections are common but often contested by the departing party to maintain a perception of strength. By denying the resignation, the APC seeks to prevent a narrative of attrition, while the PDP aims to leverage the profile of a former minister to bolster its regional standing.
