“Taking A Photo With Me Is Job Creation, My Opponents Pay Them N500k, N1m To Defect” — Prof. Pantami Reveals How APC Is Empowering His TikTok Supporters

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and PDP Governorship Candidate for Gombe State, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has described the poaching of his supporters by political opponents as an indirect job creation and youth empowerment programme.

Pantami stated this during an exclusive interview with DCL Hausa, where he reacted to his victory in the court-ordered fresh PDP primary election and the defection of some TikTok influencers and Kannywood actors who initially visited him but later switched to the APC.

Speaking on the fresh primary, Pantami said at every stage of life, whether in good times or challenging times, one must offer praise and thanks to Almighty Allah. He thanked everyone who came out to vote for him.

He said every test sent by God carries blessings if endured with patience, and that repeating the primary election has turned out to be a blessing for him. He explained that once a fresh election is conducted following the nullification of the previous one, everything connected to the initial poll becomes invalid, and the legal position resets completely around the new election.

Pantami said this is the settled legal stance across all Nigerian courts. He added that although the trial cost them time and resources originally set aside for campaign preparations, they do not question divine decree. He said anyone who steps into politics should not fear court processes, especially when standing on the truth, and that whenever they are summoned to court, they will appear.

On the question of TikTok stars and Kannywood actors who visited him and later defected to APC candidate Isyaka Jamilu Gwamna, Pantami said he was not offended.

He said in politics, outreach seeks to embrace everyone, but by God’s grace, content creators who voluntarily visit him out of respect or after listening to his lectures (Islamic).

Pantami revealed that he is actually pleased with the defections because the current administration in Gombe only pays attention to youth and content creators after they take a photo with him.

According to him, once an influencer poses for a picture with him or posts support for his candidacy on TikTok, the government and rival political candidates immediately seek them out and offer them money to defect.

“In a way, posing for a two-minute photo with me serves as a form of job creation and empowerment. Once they take a photo with me or start promoting Pantami on social media, political rivals offer them 500,000 Naira, 1,000,000 Naira or more to defect,” Pantami said.

He said effectively, through a simple photo, he is helping these young creators secure capital and it is an indirect job creation model they are running even before taking office.

Pantami said he actively encourages the influencers to accept the financial inducements from political rivals, describing the funds as public money that belongs to citizens.

“When these young people inform me of financial offers from opposition camps, I tell them to stay calm, go and collect the money. Take a short sabbatical leave or condiment break with them, and if you wish to return later, you are welcome back,” he said.

When asked why his political opponents act that way, Pantami said the reason is simple: he has nothing to copy from them, but everything he does serves as a model for them to copy.

“People naturally look up to bright stars. God has blessed us to shine as a model through religious teachings, academic achievements, and public service. That is why we describe opponents as practicing copy and paste politics. Whatever framework or strategy we introduce, they replicate it, even down to replicating our condolence visits,” he added.

He said he bears no ill will towards those who leave and appreciates their support, noting that many align with him because they value his religious discourses, intellectual contributions and leadership style.

Pantami reaffirmed that his indirect job creation and youth empowerment strategy will continue, stressing that anyone is welcome to visit him, and if taking a picture with him gets them empowered with public funds, they should take the money.