PDP Ordered to Conduct Fresh Gombe Governorship Primary After Pantami’s Ticket Is Nullified

A Federal High Court sitting in Gombe has nullified the emergence of Isa Pantami as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2027 Gombe State governorship election.

In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary in accordance with its constitution, party guidelines and relevant electoral laws.

The case was filed by Usman Garry, a PDP governorship aspirant who challenged the process through which Pantami emerged as the party’s candidate.

Pantami had earlier withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary scheduled for May 21, 2026, citing alleged breaches of the electoral process. He subsequently defected to the PDP and emerged as its governorship candidate through voice affirmation at the party’s primary.

Garry challenged the process, arguing that the PDP did not conduct a valid governorship primary in line with its rules and applicable electoral laws.

During Thursday’s proceedings, Pantami’s counsel argued that he had validly resigned from the APC on May 19, 2026, before participating in the PDP primary. The PDP also opposed the suit and asked the court to strike it out.

Garry’s counsel urged the court to dismiss the objections and grant the reliefs sought by his client.

The court, however, ruled that the PDP must conduct a fresh governorship primary in compliance with its guidelines and applicable electoral provisions.

The ruling means Pantami’s previous emergence as the PDP’s 2027 governorship candidate in Gombe has been set aside, pending the outcome of the fresh primary.

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