The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe state has announced that it will hold a fresh governorship primary election on September 29, 2026. The party's state publicity secretary, Abdulkadir Ahmed Dukku, confirmed this in a statement on Friday. According to Dukku, the decision to hold a new primary was made after a Federal High Court sitting in Gombe nullified the earlier governorship primary conducted by the party.
The Federal High Court's nullification of the earlier primary was delivered on Thursday, September 24. The court ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh election within one month. In response, the party has cleared three aspirants to contest in the rescheduled primary: Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, and Usman Aliyu Garry. Dukku stated that all eligible voters are expected to assemble at their respective ward areas to vote for an aspirant of their choice.
The PDP welcomed the court's judgment, particularly the aspect that validated Pantami's membership and entry into the party. The party also noted that the Supreme Court's verdict delivered by Justice Adamu Jauro did not affect Pantami's eligibility to contest the rescheduled primary. Dukku urged party members to remain calm and united while the leadership and contestants study the legal implications and directives contained in the judgment.
The party's leadership has assured members, supporters, and stakeholders that they will take all necessary steps within the law to protect the party's interests and uphold its democratic processes. Dukku also appealed to party members to avoid speculation and inflammatory statements that could create tension. The PDP is expected to ensure a peaceful and transparent primary election process.
The rescheduled primary election is seen as an opportunity for the PDP to ensure that its candidate is selected through a free and fair process. The party's decision to hold a fresh primary has been welcomed by many, who believe that it will help to strengthen the party's internal democracy. The Gombe PDP has a significant following in the state, and the outcome of the primary election will be closely watched.
Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, one of the cleared aspirants, is a well-known figure in Gombe state. His participation in the primary election is expected to generate significant interest among party members and supporters. The other two aspirants, Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki and Usman Aliyu Garry, are also expected to mount a strong challenge in the primary election.
The PDP's decision to hold a fresh primary election has been seen as a positive step towards ensuring the integrity of the electoral process in Gombe state. The party's leadership has reiterated its commitment to conducting a free, fair, and transparent primary election. The outcome of the primary will determine the party's candidate for the upcoming governorship election.
Key points
- The Gombe PDP has cleared three aspirants for the fresh governorship primary election: Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, and Usman Aliyu Garry.
- The primary election has been rescheduled for September 29, 2026, following a Federal High Court's nullification of the earlier primary.
- The PDP has assured its members and supporters that it will take all necessary steps to ensure a peaceful and transparent primary election process.
