Kamisu Mailantarki, a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in Gombe, has rejected the endorsement of Isa Pantami as the party’s gubernatorial flagbearer in the 2027 elections.

Mr Pantami has been declared the PDP governorship candidate following a consensus arrangement.

Reacting to the development on Tuesday in Gombe, Mr Mailantarki faulted the process that produced Mr Pantami as the party’s governorship candidate.

Mr Mailantarki said Mr Pantami’s emergence did not follow the agreed-upon process among the aspirants and party leaders.

Mr Mailantarki said the aspirants, Abdulkadir Saleh, Usman Aliyu and Monica Kaltho, completed the required procedures, including purchasing nomination forms, screening, and consulting with delegates ahead of the scheduled primary election.

He said the primary election was initially fixed for May 24 and later shifted to May 26.

“Reports surfaced shortly before the exercise that Pantami had joined the PDP and was seeking the governorship ticket. Other aspirants and I accepted Pantami into the party but expressed reservations about the timing of his entry into the race,” he said.

Mr Mailartarki said the PDP leadership encouraged the aspirants to adopt a consensus arrangement to promote unity in the party.

“The aspirants agreed to support any candidate selected from among them in the interest of party cohesion,” he said.

Mr Mailantarki, however, said a separate process was conducted without the involvement of the other aspirants and major stakeholders.

“My position is not against any individual but centred on ensuring fairness and adherence to due process within the party,” he said.

Mr Pantami ditched the APC for the PDP after losing his bid to clinch its governorship ticket.

(NAN)