Stalwart Khamis Musa Darazo, a longtime and vocal supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the “Renewed Hope” agenda under President Bola Tinubu, has taken a striking public stance in recent days.

However, he is appealing to the Presidency and the national leadership of the party to move swiftly to prevent defections by high-profile members.

Among those at the center of the rumour mill is former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, a political figure whose influence, especially in the North, remains formidable.

Darazo portrays Pantami not merely as a politician but as “an intellectual, reformer, and bridge-builder” whose reach and moral standing transcend party lines.

Party vs. Pantami

Reports have emerged that the former minister Isa Pantami is contemplating leaving the APC, triggering alarm within party ranks.

According to Darazo, “several key figures within the party were reportedly considering defection,” and Pantami’s potential exit is viewed as “a major political loss and setback for the APC, both in the North and across Nigeria.”

While the party has not formally confirmed Pantami’s intentions, the speculation has created a jittery atmosphere.

Darazo has urged that grievances or misunderstandings be addressed through “engagement” by the party leadership.

Some media commentary suggests that Pantami’s standing as a technocrat, digital reformer, and preacher gives him leverage; his departure could create ripple effects in APC’s support base, particularly among youth and the Muslim constituency.

Why Darazo Urges Intervention

Darazo’s appeal is grounded in the strategic risk he perceives: losing a high-calibre member like Pantami would, he warns, “weaken the party’s intellectual and moral foundation and send a discouraging message to millions of youths who regard him as a symbol of integrity and visionary leadership.”

Moreover, Darazo argues that defections can erode internal cohesion and project instability at a time when the APC faces mounting pressures, internally and externally. The optics of losing a senior figure could embolden further defections or embitter other discontented members. His call is for a pre-emptive strategy,dialogue, reassurance, and possibly concessions to retain loyalty.

Voices from the Grassroots

Public reaction to the controversy has been mixed. Among APC loyalists, some echo Darazo’s urgency, warning that “once you start losing prominent names, the rest may follow.”

Others caution that forcing retention is counterproductive: “A genuine commitment can’t be compelled if he’s disillusioned, better to let him exit gracefully than stay resentful.”

Observers note that Pantami’s base sees him as a figure of integrity, and any defection would be framed not as ideological betrayal but as affirmation of principles unmet within APC.

Analysts also see this as a test of the party’s internal resilience. If APC leadership acts decisively and inclusively, the crisis may be contained; if not, it could crystallize as a fault line ahead of future elections.

In conclusion,Khamis Musa Darazo’s intervention underscores a deeper anxiety within APC ranks, the fragility of party unity in the face of high-stakes defections. Whether his urgings will yield preventive action or be too little, too late remains to be seen. What is clear is that for the APC, retaining Pantami or at least managing his exit could become a defining moment in its cohesion and credibility heading into future political battles.

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