Pantami’s Reinvention and the Road to 2027

By Kabir Akintayo

Isa Ali Pantami’s name resonates in Nigerian politics, religion, and academia. The professor, Islamic scholar, and former minister of communications and digital economy has become a recurring figure in national conversations. From the storm that greeted his ministerial appointment—when he was accused of extremist sympathies—to the accolades he later earned for his performance in office, Pantami has repeatedly defied expectations. Now, with a steady stream of political heavyweights making pilgrimages to his Abuja residence, he has emerged as one of the most courted figures in Nigeria’s unfolding political drama.

In recent months, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and the APC National Chairman, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, have all visited him. Earlier this year, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai also paid his respects. These visits are not routine courtesy calls—they are signals. As 2027 approaches, Pantami’s home has become, in the words of observers, “the new Mecca” of Nigerian politics.

The symbolism is striking. Atiku, still nurturing presidential ambitions, knows the importance of consolidating northern support. Obi’s appearance shocked many, given how his supporters once dismissed Pantami as a “terrorist sympathizer.” Yilwatda’s visit, representing the ruling APC, confirmed that Pantami’s influence transcends party lines. These encounters show that Pantami is no longer just a scholar or former minister; he is a bridge figure whose endorsement or participation could shape Nigeria’s political realignments.

Pantami’s journey is one of resilience and reinvention. His 2019 appointment was met with fierce resistance after old sermons resurfaced, drawing accusations of extremist leanings. Civil society groups called for his resignation, but President Muhammadu Buhari stood by him. In office, Pantami justified that confidence. He drove the National Identity Number (NIN) registration campaign, spearheaded the digital economy policy, expanded broadband penetration, and fostered growth in Nigeria’s ICT sector. Under his watch, digital startups gained unprecedented policy support, and ICT’s contribution to GDP grew significantly.

Unlike many ex-ministers who faded after Buhari’s exit, Pantami stayed relevant. He returned to academia, consolidated his stature as a professor, and maintained visibility through local and international engagements. He straddled two worlds—the mosque and the university lecture hall—keeping his influence alive in both religious and intellectual circles.

Politically, his loyalties have appeared fluid. Though a member of the APC, his closeness to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised eyebrows. The ADC, serving as a regrouping platform for opposition elements, has given Pantami a stage. For some, this reflects his fallout with President Bola Tinubu, whose camp accused him of quietly supporting Atiku in 2023. For others, it is a deliberate hedge, ensuring relevance in case APC fractures before 2027.

This ambiguity is Pantami’s strength. In Nigeria’s volatile political terrain, figures who can speak across divides often emerge as kingmakers or surprise contenders. Some analysts even liken his rising stature to that of Buhari in the early 2000s: a northern leader whose religious and cultural influence underpinned his political relevance.

At home in Gombe, speculation swirls that Pantami might contest the governorship in 2027. His popularity there is undeniable. With both APC and PDP battling internal divisions, Pantami could ride on his national profile and federal track record to secure victory. A governorship would not just cement his relevance; it would give him executive power and greater leverage on the national stage.

Whether he seeks office or plays the role of a kingmaker, Pantami has already positioned himself as a pivotal actor in Nigeria’s political future. His story is remarkable not just because he survived early controversies but because he turned survival into influence. From being despised in some quarters to being courted by both opposition and ruling party figures, his evolution is a lesson in political reinvention.

As Nigeria’s political class recalibrates for 2027, one fact is clear: Isa Ali Pantami is no longer on the margins. He is at the center, shaping alliances, hosting power brokers, and embodying the resilience of a man who understands that in politics, visibility is power. Whether as governor, kingmaker, or national influencer, his name will continue to ring loudly in the years to come.

Kabir Akintayo is a Staff Writer with Politics Digest.