The Federal High Court sitting in Gombe State has nullified the emergence of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 election and ordered the party to conduct a fresh primary within 30 days.
Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed delivered the judgment on Thursday, September 24, 2026, following suits filed by PDP governorship aspirants Khamisu Mailantarki and Usman Aliyu Garry, who challenged the process that produced Pantami as the party’s candidate.
The court held that the process through which Pantami emerged did not comply with the PDP’s laid-down procedures and applicable electoral provisions, resulting in the exclusion of some aspirants who had been screened and cleared to participate.
Pantami had emerged as the PDP’s candidate through a voice affirmation during the party’s governorship primary in May 2026. The party subsequently announced him as its sole candidate on June 26.
The ruling effectively sets aside the earlier process and requires the PDP to conduct another governorship primary in accordance with its guidelines and applicable electoral laws.
Court rejects request to remove Pantami from PDP
The plaintiffs had also sought an order disqualifying Pantami and removing him from the PDP over allegations that he remained a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) when the disputed primary was conducted.
The court, however, declined that relief. The judgment did not order Pantami’s removal from the PDP, limiting the immediate consequence of the ruling to the conduct of a fresh governorship primary.
Appeal and fresh primary
The judgment has opened the way for a fresh contest for the PDP governorship ticket in Gombe State, although further legal proceedings could affect the timing and conditions of the exercise.
The plaintiffs’ legal team has reportedly filed an appeal challenging the aspect of the judgment concerning Pantami’s participation in any fresh primary. The lawyers have also sought a stay of execution to prevent the PDP from proceeding with a rerun pending the determination of the appeal.
The PDP had reportedly moved to schedule a fresh primary for Tuesday, September 29, in compliance with the court’s directive. The pending legal challenge could, however, affect the planned exercise.
The legal team representing the plaintiffs has also argued that the party must comply with the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act governing the submission of its membership register to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of a primary.
The dispute over Pantami’s eligibility and participation therefore remains subject to further legal proceedings, while the PDP faces the task of conducting a fresh process to select its candidate for the 2027 Gombe governorship election.
