Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, has said politics should be guided by morality and empathy, as he hinted at a possible bid for the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State.
Pantami, who spoke in an interview with BBC Hausa released on Saturday, said he had been approached by close associates to contest the governorship seat but was initially reluctant to accept the call.
He said, “I am deeply committed to promoting good governance, whether I contest for office or not. My interest lies in identifying, encouraging, and supporting the best leaders for Nigeria.”
The cybersecurity expert noted that some supporters, including his close associate, Arch. Dahiru Saidu, had visited him to persuade him to run for office.
“The first group that approached me, accompanied by my close friend Arch. Dahiru Saidu, did not receive the answer they hoped for. I told them I was not interested. When they asked if something was wrong, I explained that it wasn’t a fault, but that I believed others should have the opportunity to serve,” he said.
Pantami added that one of his associates cautioned him against declining the call to serve.
“He even told me, ‘if things continue to go like that God will hold you accountable because you have value to add’. I advised them to pray and ask God for the best path forward,” he stated.
The former minister said his initial resistance had begun to wane as he continued to seek divine direction.
“Although I initially resisted the idea 100 percent, my reluctance has slowly begun to fade as I continue to seek divine guidance for the best interest of the people,” he said.
Pantami also referenced his record in public office, noting that his achievements had prompted renewed calls for his return to service.
“The people of Gombe have seen the impact of my time in office, from generating employment to spearheading over 215 innovative projects and various training programmes. By God’s grace, we will soon release a book documenting these achievements. Because of this track record, people have been calling on me to return to service,” he added.
He said if given the opportunity to serve as governor, he would build on the foundation laid by the incumbent governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya.
“I will build upon the foundation laid by my brother, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, by focusing on these key pillars: human empowerment, human development, industrialisation and attracting foreign direct investment.
“Our primary goal is to tackle unemployment by creating job opportunities for the youth and women. We must remain focused on providing our young people with high-quality education to ensure a brighter future for all,” he said.
Pantami stressed that politics should not be driven by personal ambition alone but by a sense of responsibility and compassion for the people.
