The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State is set to conduct a fresh governorship primary today, September 29, with three aspirants cleared to participate in the exercise. The aspirants include Professor Isa Ali Pantami, Usman Aliyu Garry, and Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki. The party's State Publicity Secretary, Abdulkadir Ahmed Dukku, confirmed the development, stating that the exercise would be conducted in compliance with a recent Federal High Court judgment.
The Federal High Court in Gombe had on September 24 nullified the process that produced Pantami as the PDP's governorship candidate and ordered the party to conduct a fresh primary within 30 days. The court's decision followed legal challenges to the process through which Pantami emerged as the party's candidate for the 2027 governorship election. The PDP had earlier said it received the judgment in good faith and would comply with the court's directive.
Dukku dismissed claims that Pantami had been barred from participating in the fresh exercise, saying the party was not aware of any Supreme Court judgment preventing the former minister from contesting. He added that Garry and Mailantarki have equally been cleared to participate in today's primary. The three aspirants are expected to participate in the fresh contest as the PDP seeks to produce its candidate for the 2027 Gombe State governorship election.
The PDP had fixed today, September 29, for the fresh primary and directed eligible delegates to assemble at their respective ward areas to participate in the exercise. The party is prepared for the fresh primary and would abide by the court's directive ordering it to conduct another governorship primary. The development has set the stage for a keenly contested primary, with the three aspirants vying for the party's ticket.
Pantami, a former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, is a prominent figure in Gombe politics, and his participation in the primary has generated significant interest. Garry and Mailantarki, the other two aspirants, are also well-known in the state's political landscape. The outcome of today's primary will determine the PDP's candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
The PDP's decision to conduct a fresh primary has been seen as a move to resolve the legal tussle surrounding the party's governorship candidate. The party had faced criticism for its handling of the initial primary process, which led to the court judgment. By conducting a fresh primary, the PDP aims to ensure a credible and transparent process.
The fresh primary is a crucial step for the PDP as it seeks to produce a candidate for the 2027 Gombe State governorship election. The party will need to ensure a peaceful and credible process to produce a candidate who can challenge for the state's top seat. The participation of Pantami, Garry, and Mailantarki has added excitement to the primary, and the outcome will be closely watched by political observers.
Key points
- The Gombe PDP will conduct a fresh governorship primary today with three aspirants, including Isa Ali Pantami.
- The primary was ordered by a Federal High Court judgment that nullified the previous process.
- The outcome of the primary will determine the PDP's candidate for the 2027 Gombe State governorship election.
