Gombe PDP schedules repeat governorship primary for September 29

The Peoples Democratic Party in Gombe State has fixed September 29 for a fresh governorship primary after a Federal High Court nullified the party’s earlier contest. The party’s state publicity secretary, Muhammad Dukku, announced the date. In a statement, he said the repeat primary would be held on Tuesday and called on eligible party members to assemble in their respective wards to vote for an aspirant of their choice.

The announcement followed a ruling by the Federal High Court in Gombe on Thursday. The court nullified the governorship primary held on May 26, 2026, and ordered the party to conduct another contest within 30 days. Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Pantami, Hamisu Mailantarki and Usman Garry are expected to contest the rescheduled primary.

The original selection of Pantami had generated opposition within both the PDP and the All Progressives Congress. Pantami initially sought the APC ticket. After the APC selected Gwamna as its consensus candidate, Pantami criticised the process and moved to the PDP.

His adoption by the opposition party through what rivals described as voice affirmation was challenged by long-standing members and other aspirants. Garry’s legal challenge argued that voice affirmation, without a formal and open delegate vote, breached the PDP’s internal rules and the Electoral Act. The court agreed with the challenge, according to the report, and held that parties could not avoid formal voting procedures to select prominent defectors.

The PDP urged members, supporters and well-wishers to cooperate with the process and conduct themselves in an orderly manner. The statement did not specify further arrangements for the voting or identify the delegates who will participate.