PDP faction rejects Pantami, picks Gombe governorship candidate

The Tanimu Turaki-led group of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has named Mohammed Yayari as its governorship candidate for Gombe State.

This announcement comes a few weeks after the Nyesom Wike-led group picked former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, as the PDP candidate for the state.

The Turaki faction introduced Mr Yayari at a ceremony on Wednesday. During the event, they also gave Certificates of Return to candidates from different states.

Party leaders took the time to stress loyalty and commitment among the candidates. They warned against switching parties after getting their nominations.

Ibrahim Turaki, a key PDP leader, said that candidates must sign agreements before their names go to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Nobody will take our mandate to another political party and get away with it,” he stated. He added that future candidates would face strict rules to protect the party's interests.

The PDP National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Shan, spoke at the event too. He called the ceremony part of the efforts to get the party ready for upcoming elections.

“We are ready to go into the elections prepared with our candidates,” he said.

Dupe Adesida, who represented the PDP State Chairmen Forum, praised the party leaders for keeping the PDP strong amid the challenges they face.

Meanwhile, another faction held a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and a ceremony in Abuja, where Mr Pantami was introduced officially.

This meeting was led by the factional national chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed. It also saw party leaders and members from all over the country in attendance.

During the gathering, they handed out Certificates of Return to candidates whose nominations they claimed had been approved by INEC.

Mr Pantami’s backing from the other group has made the fight for control of the PDP in Gombe State even more complicated. Now, the party has two main figures claiming the governorship ticket.

As the 2027 elections draw near, this ongoing crisis could hurt the PDP's ability to challenge effectively in Gombe unless a political agreement is made.