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The Federal High Court in Gombe State has nullified the emergence of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
The court also ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary in the state.
Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed gave the judgment on Thursday, September 24, 2026, in a suit filed by PDP governorship aspirant, Usman Aliyu Garry, challenging the process through which Pantami emerged as the party’s candidate.
Garry had challenged the validity of the process, arguing that the PDP failed to conduct a proper primary election in accordance with the party’s guidelines and relevant electoral requirements.
The court consequently directed the party to conduct a fresh primary that complies with its internal rules and the applicable legal framework.
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Pantami emerged as the PDP’s governorship candidate on May 26 after joining the party following his departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He had earlier sought the APC ticket but left the party after it settled on Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna as its governorship candidate.
After moving to the PDP, Pantami emerged as the party’s candidate through a voice affirmation exercise during the May primary.
The former minister was subsequently presented with a PDP Certificate of Return in Abuja on June 24, 2026, confirming him at the time as the party’s recognised candidate for the Gombe governorship election.
The court ruling now invalidates the process that produced Pantami as the PDP candidate and requires the party to organise another primary ahead of the 2027 election.
