The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State is set to conduct a fresh governorship primary election today, following a Federal High Court judgment that nullified the previous primary held on May 26. The court ordered the PDP to conduct another exercise within 30 days, in compliance with its Constitution, guidelines, and relevant electoral laws. The judgment was delivered in a suit filed by Usman Garry, a PDP governorship aspirant, who challenged the process through which former Minister Isa Pantami emerged as the party's candidate.
Pantami, a former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, will slug it out with Khamisu Mailantarki and Usman Garry for the PDP ticket. Pantami's entry into the contest has generated significant interest due to his national profile and experience. He previously sought the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but withdrew after the party settled on Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus candidate. Pantami then moved to the PDP, altering the calculations within the opposition party.
Mohammed Kudu, a PDP chieftain, believes that Pantami is the only aspirant with the capacity to challenge the APC candidate, Gwamna, in a fair contest. Kudu argued that Pantami's experience, networks, and resources make him capable of mounting a serious challenge against Gwamna. He dismissed the capacity of other aspirants, including Mailantarki, Saleh Abdulkadir, and Garry, describing them as weak to confront the APC candidate.
However, opponents of Pantami's emergence question the circumstances surrounding his entry into the PDP and his rapid movement from APC aspirant to PDP governorship candidate. Dr. Maryam Abubakar, a policy analyst, described what she called the "unprecedented desperation" surrounding Pantami's political journey. She questioned Pantami's relationship with the APC before his defection and accused him of lacking ideals and purpose.
The PDP's current list of cleared aspirants for today's primary comprises Pantami, Mailantarki, and Garry. Saleh Abdulkadir, who was prominent in the initial contest, is not among the cleared aspirants. The narrowing of the field concentrates the battle among the three aspirants. The Gombe PDP primary has evolved into a test of how political ambition, party organisation, and electoral law intersect.
The fresh primary election is a bid to correct issues of the past, creating a new opportunity for all three cleared aspirants. The PDP is conducting a new nomination process, allowing the aspirants to compete on a level playing field. The party's choice will be watched beyond the immediate party contest, as Gombe's political landscape is shaped by local structures and established political networks.
The outcome of today's primary will have significant implications for the 2027 election in Gombe State. The aspirants will need to demonstrate their ability to confront the APC candidate, Gwamna, who is considered to have a strong grassroots presence. The PDP's choice will ultimately depend on the party's strategy and the aspirants' ability to connect with the electorate.
Key points
- The PDP is conducting a fresh governorship primary election in Gombe State following a court judgment that nullified the previous primary.
- Former Minister Isa Pantami, Khamisu Mailantarki, and Usman Garry are vying for the PDP ticket.
- The outcome of the primary will have significant implications for the 2027 election in Gombe State.
