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 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. This decision was made by Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed, who delivered the judgment in a suit filed by Usman Aliyu Garry. Garry had challenged the process through which Pantami emerged as the PDP candidate, arguing that it did not satisfy the requirements for a valid governorship primary.
According to the court, the PDP failed to conduct a proper primary election to produce its candidate, and Pantami's emergence was through voice affirmation, which did not meet the required standards. The court therefore ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary to select its candidate for the 2027 election. The new exercise must be conducted in accordance with the PDP's guidelines and relevant provisions of the electoral laws. This decision was made after counsel to both parties adopted their final written addresses and concluded arguments in the pre-election matter.
Pantami's emergence as the PDP candidate followed his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP. He had initially sought the APC governorship ticket but left the party after it settled on Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus candidate. Pantami subsequently joined the PDP and participated in the party's governorship primary held in May, where he emerged as the candidate. However, Garry approached the court to challenge this process, arguing that it was not in line with the party's guidelines and electoral laws.
During the court proceedings in July, counsel to Garry, Eko-Ejembi Eko, urged the court to grant the reliefs sought by his client, arguing that the suit was meritorious and deserving of judicial intervention. On the other hand, counsel to Pantami, Mohammed Abdul, SAN, represented by Benjamin Sati, urged the court to dismiss the suit, maintaining that Pantami's emergence complied with the law and the PDP's procedures. The court ultimately upheld Garry's challenge and directed the PDP to conduct a fresh primary.
The judgment was delivered on Thursday, and the court commended counsel on both sides for the manner in which they conducted the case. The PDP has been given a directive to conduct a fresh primary election, which must be in line with the party's guidelines and electoral laws. This decision is expected to have significant implications for the party's governorship candidate in Gombe State.
In a related development, the Kwara State chapter of the PDP has appointed Prince Omar Bolaji Gambari as Director-General of its campaign organisation for the 2027 governorship election. Gambari, who contested the party's 2026 governorship primary, will now coordinate the campaign structure ahead of the election. His appointment was announced after an expanded meeting of the party leadership chaired by the state chairman, Isa Bawa Adamu.
Gambari's background in international law, finance, and real estate is expected to contribute to coordinating the party's campaign across the state. The PDP said his appointment was a result of his involvement in the party's activities and his performance in the previous primary election. The party is expected to use Gambari's expertise to strengthen its campaign and increase its chances in the 2027 governorship election.
Key points
- The Federal High Court in Gombe State has nullified Prof. Isa Ali Pantami's emergence as the PDP governorship candidate due to irregularities in the primary election process.
- The court has ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh primary election to select its candidate for the 2027 election.
- The Kwara State chapter of the PDP has appointed Prince Omar Bolaji Gambari as Director-General of its campaign organisation for the 2027 governorship election.
