Nigeria, April 22 -- My recent visit to Gombe for a capacity-building programme on Artificial Intelligence and strategic communication offered more than professional engagement - it provided a revealing glimpse into the state's evolving political dynamics, ahead of the next gubernatorial race.

From the airport to the city centre, one could not miss the growing visibility of Professor Ali Isa Pantami, the former minister of Communication and Digital Economy. His images adorn commercial vehicles and strategic locations, signalling what many interpret as an early but deliberate build-up of political momentum.

I must state upfront that Pantami is a brotherly friend with whom I have shared years of a professional relationship. He listens, re...