The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State has announced that it will conduct a fresh governorship primary election on September 29, 2026. This decision comes after a Federal High Court in Gombe ordered the party to nullify the previous primary that produced Isa Pantami as its candidate. The court ruling was given on September 24, 2026, and the PDP has directed its members to participate in the new primary election.
The PDP Publicity Secretary in Gombe State, Abdulkadir Ahmed Dukku, issued a statement on September 26, 2026, informing all card-carrying members of the party about the new primary election. Eligible delegates are directed to assemble at their respective ward areas to participate in the exercise and vote for their preferred aspirant. The party urged its members, supporters, and well-wishers to cooperate with the arrangements for the exercise and conduct themselves peacefully.
The fresh primary election is a result of a legal challenge by some PDP governorship aspirants, including Usman Garry, who argued that the process that produced Pantami as the party's candidate was not valid. The court ruled that the PDP must conduct a fresh primary in accordance with its guidelines and relevant electoral laws. Pantami had emerged as the PDP's candidate through a voice affirmation at the party's May 26 governorship primary.
The PDP in Gombe State has assured its members that the new primary election will be conducted in line with the court's directive and will determine the party's candidate for the 2027 governorship election. The party has urged its members to participate in the exercise and vote for their preferred aspirant. The outcome of the primary election will be crucial in determining the party's chances in the 2027 governorship election.
The development is a significant setback for Isa Pantami, who had been declared the PDP's candidate for the 2027 governorship election. Pantami's emergence was challenged by some party members, who argued that the process was not transparent. The court ruling has now given the PDP the opportunity to conduct a fresh primary and produce a new candidate.
The PDP is one of the major political parties in Nigeria, and the Gombe State governorship election is expected to be a keenly contested one. The party's candidate will be hoping to win the election and become the governor of Gombe State. The fresh primary election is a critical step in the party's preparations for the election.
The party's decision to conduct a fresh primary election has been seen as a move to ensure that its candidate is produced through a transparent and democratic process. The PDP has urged its members to participate in the exercise and ensure that the party's candidate is chosen through a fair and credible process.
Key points
- The Peoples Democratic Party has fixed September 29, 2026, for a fresh governorship primary election in Gombe State.
- The fresh primary election is a result of a Federal High Court order nullifying the previous primary that produced Isa Pantami as the party's candidate.
- The outcome of the primary election will determine the PDP's candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State.
