The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has thrown its weight behind former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Ibrahim Isa Ali Pantami, describing him as eminently qualified to become the next governor of Gombe State.
In a statement issued on Thursday, May 28, 2026, and signed by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Islamic human rights organisation congratulated Pantami on his emergence as the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State.
MURIC said Pantami possesses the intellectual, moral and leadership qualities required to govern the state effectively, stressed that his background as an Islamic scholar, academic and technocrat makes him a strong candidate for the position.
The group also urged voters in Gombe State, particularly Muslims, to support the former minister at the polls, describing his candidacy as a rare opportunity for the state.
“We rejoice with the former minister on his emergence as the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in Gombe State. We also congratulate the PDP for catching a big fish,” the statement read.
“We urge Gombe voters to appreciate the value of their gubernatorial candidate by massively voting for him.”
MURIC maintained that Pantami’s credentials and experience place him in a unique position to lead the predominantly Muslim state towards what it described as meaningful and prosperous development.
“We assert clearly, unequivocally, totally and categorically that Shaykh Pantami is eminently qualified to lead the people of Gombe,” the group stated.
The organisation added that despite its longstanding nonpartisan posture, it would not hesitate to support individuals it considers exceptionally qualified, irrespective of political affiliation.
According to the statement, MURIC has no reservations about Pantami’s defection to the PDP or the party’s reported choice of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as its presidential candidate.
“Neither do we have any reservations about the PDP’s recently picked presidential candidate, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, whom we consider as having conducted himself with decency and dignity since he left office as president,” Akintola added.
Pantami, a renowned Islamic cleric and former cabinet minister, reportedly defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) after rejecting a consensus arrangement within the party in Gombe State before securing the PDP governorship ticket.
