The Gombe State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been embroiled in a controversy following the conduct of a fresh primary election on September 29, 2026. Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, one of the aspirants seeking the governorship ticket, has declared himself the winner of the legitimate primary election. He rejected the official result that declared Prof Isa Ali Pantami as the party's governorship candidate.
According to Mailantarki, Isa Ali Pantami was legally ineligible to contest, citing a previous court decision as the basis for his position. The court judgment indicated that Pantami was not eligible to contest, and Mailantarki claimed that he secured the legitimate members' votes, making him the actual winner. He further maintained that Pantami was a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) when the PDP screening committee initially screened the aspirants for the original primary election held on May 26.
The fresh primary election was conducted under the leadership of the Hon Johnbull Tiemlong Shekarau Committee, which declared Isa Ali Pantami as the party's governorship candidate. However, Mailantarki insisted that the fresh primary should have been contested only between him and the third-place candidate, Usman Aliyu Garry. He vowed to challenge the outcome, stating that he was prepared to pursue all available legal avenues to reclaim what he considers his rightful victory.
This development follows a previous lawsuit filed by Mailantarki, which resulted in the cancellation of Pantami's initial victory and an order for a fresh primary election. As Mailantarki prepares to return to court, the legal status of the PDP's governorship candidate in Gombe State remains subject to further legal determination. The dispute has sparked concerns about the party's ability to present a unified candidate for the 2027 general elections.
Another aspirant, Usman Aliyu Gary, has also dismissed the conduct of the fresh primary elections as a mere exercise in futility. He claimed that there was no valid conduct of the primary elections because of Pantami's participation in the exercise. Gary insisted that Pantami was not qualified to participate in the fresh primary elections because he was not a member of the PDP as of the time the aspirants were screened for the May 2026 primary elections.
Gary expressed his determination to pursue legal means to challenge the process, stressing that he is the legitimate person to be declared the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP. The development has created uncertainty about the party's chances in the 2027 general elections. The PDP's national leadership has yet to comment on the situation.
The controversy surrounding the Gombe PDP primary election highlights the challenges faced by the party in the state. The party's inability to present a unified candidate could have implications for its chances in the 2027 general elections. The situation remains a subject of interest for political observers and stakeholders in the state.
Key points
- Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki claims victory in the Gombe PDP primary election, citing a court judgment that renders Isa Ali Pantami ineligible to contest.
- The fresh primary election was conducted under the leadership of the Hon Johnbull Tiemlong Shekarau Committee, which declared Isa Ali Pantami as the party's governorship candidate.
- The dispute has sparked concerns about the party's ability to present a unified candidate for the 2027 general elections.
