Court-ordered PDP repeat primary sets up renewed Gombe contest
Isa Pantami, Khamisu Mailantarki and Usman Garry are contesting a fresh PDP governorship primary in Gombe after the Federal High Court nullified the party’s May exercise. The court ordered a new primary within 30 days after Garry challenged Pantami’s emergence and alleged that party rules had not been followed.
Former Communications and Digital Economy Minister Isa Pantami, businessman Khamisu Mailantarki and Usman Garry are contesting a fresh Peoples Democratic Party governorship primary in Gombe State. The exercise follows a Federal High Court judgment nullifying the PDP’s May 26 primary, which produced Pantami. Justice Amina Mohammed ordered the party to conduct another primary within 30 days and comply with its constitution, guidelines and electoral laws.
Garry brought the case after rejecting the process through which Pantami emerged as the candidate of the faction led by Abdulrahman Mohammed. He argued that the party had not conducted a valid primary. Pantami joined the PDP after withdrawing from the All Progressives Congress contest when the APC settled on Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus candidate.
His arrival changed the contest, which had also involved Mailantarki and other aspirants. PDP chieftain Mohammed Kudu argued that Pantami had the profile, resources and networks needed to challenge the APC candidate. His view was disputed by critics, including policy analyst Maryam Abubakar, who questioned Pantami’s movement from the APC to the PDP and criticised the circumstances of the previous primary.
The new contest will determine the PDP candidate for the 2027 governorship election. The source material does not provide the result of the fresh primary.
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