A trending video showing former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, among supporters in Gombe State has stirred fresh political conversations ahead of the 2027 elections.
The footage, obtained by 9News Nigeria, captures Pantami being cheered by supporters in what observers interpret as an early political mobilisation effort. While no formal declaration has been publicly documented at the time of filing this report, the atmosphere surrounding the appearance suggests growing momentum around his potential entry into the race.
Pantami, a former Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), served as minister under President Muhammadu Buhari between 2019 and 2023, where he oversaw Nigeria’s digital economy reforms. His tenure was marked by significant policy initiatives, including the controversial National Identification Number (NIN)–SIM linkage directive, which sought to strengthen national security and identity management systems. The policy, though widely debated, drew both commendation for its security implications and criticism over implementation challenges.
However, Pantami’s political trajectory has long been accompanied by a complex history of public scrutiny.
In 2021, he faced intense national and international backlash following the resurfacing of past sermons in which he appeared to express views sympathetic to extremist groups. Audio recordings circulated online included statements from the early 2000s where he reportedly supported militant organisations such as the Taliban and made comments about jihad that sparked outrage across Nigeria.
The controversy reignited debates over his ideological stance, with civil society groups and political actors calling for his resignation at the time. Pantami responded by distancing himself from the remarks, stating they reflected earlier positions that had since evolved with greater knowledge and maturity. He consistently denied any affiliation with extremist groups and maintained that he advocates peaceful coexistence among all religious and ethnic groups.
Claims linking him directly to terrorist organisations, including allegations of being on a United States watchlist, were widely circulated but later retracted by some media outlets due to lack of verifiable evidence. Independent fact-checks also failed to conclusively establish such listings, noting that U.S. security databases are not publicly disclosed.
Despite the controversy, Pantami retained the backing of the Buhari administration, with presidential aides emphasising the principle that individuals can change over time and should not be permanently judged by past statements.
Earlier in his career, Pantami served as Chief Imam at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi. His time there also drew retrospective scrutiny following reports linking campus tensions during that period to religious disputes, although direct responsibility remains a subject of debate and interpretation.
Beyond the controversies, Pantami has maintained a strong academic and professional profile. He is a Fellow of both the British Computer Society and the Nigeria Computer Society and chaired the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum in 2022 under the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva.
His emergence—formal or informal—as a potential gubernatorial contender reflects a broader pattern in Nigerian politics where public figures with mixed public records continue to command significant grassroots support. Analysts note that political capital in Nigeria is often shaped not only by past records but also by influence, network strength, and perceived capacity to mobilise resources and loyalty.
For many observers, Pantami’s re-entry into frontline politics underscores a recurring national dynamic: a political environment where controversy does not necessarily foreclose ambition, and where public memory, political pragmatism, and voter priorities intersect in complex ways.
As the 2027 electoral cycle gradually takes shape, Pantami’s next moves—and public reception to them—are likely to remain under close scrutiny.
9News Nigeria reports.
