Gombe court voids Pantami’s PDP ticket and orders fresh primary
The Federal High Court in Gombe has nullified Isa Ali Pantami’s emergence as the PDP’s 2027 governorship candidate and ordered a fresh primary within 30 days. Justice Amina Mohammed ruled in a suit by aspirant Usman Garry, who challenged the party’s use of a voice affirmation to select Pantami.
The Federal High Court in Gombe has nullified Isa Ali Pantami’s emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election in the state and ordered the party to hold a fresh primary within 30 days. Justice Amina Mohammed issued the ruling in a pre-election suit filed by PDP aspirant Usman Garry. Garry argued that the party had not conducted its primary in line with its guidelines and applicable electoral requirements.
Pantami was selected through a voice affirmation at a governorship primary on May 26, 2026, after leaving the All Progressives Congress. The PDP formally presented him as its candidate on June 26. Other aspirants challenged the process, alleging that screened and cleared contenders had been excluded.
The court ordered the PDP to conduct a new primary in compliance with its rules and relevant electoral laws. It also directed Pantami to stop presenting himself as the party’s governorship candidate. The proceedings included a separate challenge by another aspirant, Khamisu Mailantarki.
Pantami had earlier withdrawn from the APC primary, citing alleged irregularities, before joining the PDP. He served as minister of communications and digital economy from 2019 to 2023 under President Muhammadu Buhari.
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