A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State has rejected the emergence of former minister Isa Pantami as the party’s governorship candidate.
The faction insisted that it followed due process in selecting its own candidate and maintained that it would proceed with its nomination process.
Leaders aligned with the Tanimu Turaki-led group said Mohammed Yayari remains their legitimate governorship flagbearer in Gombe State. The faction also formally presented him with a Certificate of Return and expressed confidence in its preparations for the next election cycle, while rejecting Pantami’s emergence.
The announcement came during the faction’s activities held on Wednesday, which also included a National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, PDP chieftain Ibrahim Turaki warned against disloyalty within the party, saying members must remain committed to its decisions.
“Nobody will take our mandate to another political party and get away with it,” he said.
Turaki also said future candidates would be required to sign undertakings committing them to party loyalty before their names are submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Also speaking, the PDP National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Shan, said the faction remained focused on strengthening its preparedness for the elections.
“We are ready to go into the elections prepared with our candidates,” he said.
The development underscores the widening rift within the PDP in Gombe State, with rival factions laying claim to legitimacy and backing different governorship candidates.