Pantami Struggles For Elite Acceptance In Gombe, As Gwamna Confronts APC’s Unpopularity
The 2027 governorship contest in Gombe State is increasingly defined by the weaknesses of its two frontrunners, as Prof. Isa Ali Pantami of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, struggles to gain acceptance among the Gombe elite, while Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna of the All Progressives Congress, APC, confronts the unpopularity of his party.
The Gombe State governorship race for 2027 is shaping up as a three-horse contest, but the battle is fiercely narrowed to Prof. Isa Ali Pantami of the PDP and Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna of the APC, with Bala Bello Tinka of the ADC as the third force.
According to Daily Trust Weekend analysis, Prof. Pantami, the immediate past Minister of Communication and Digital Economy who defected from APC to clinch the PDP ticket, has boosted PDP’s chances.
His major strength, according to pundits, is his massive political network, especially on social media, which may prove decisive in the upcoming election.
His major weakness is lack of appeal, especially with the ‘Gombe elite’, which could affect his prospects. He is also currently battling ongoing court cases with at least two aspirants who contested the PDP ticket with him.
For Dr. Jamilu Gwamna, the Sardaunan Gombe, his strength lies in his vast experience in both public and private sectors, his good relationship with people at the grassroots and massive support especially from women and youths.
Gwamna, a onetime gubernatorial candidate who contested under ANPP in 2007 against Danjuma Goje and lost PDP ticket in 2022 to Bayero Nafada, is also expected to benefit from Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s track record in the last seven years.
His weakness, however, is the unpopularity of the APC, especially at the centre, and some unpopular policies introduced by Governor Yahaya’s administration, which pundits say could affect his chances at the polls.
The third contender, Bala Bello Tinka, a successful businessman and founder of Tinka Point Limited and former close associate of Governor Yahaya, has financial muscle but is hampered by lack of well-articulated political structure within the Gombe ADC.
