The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it will conduct a fresh governorship primary in Gombe State after the Federal High Court nullified the process that produced former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election.
The court, sitting in Gombe, ordered the PDP to conduct another governorship primary within 30 days. The judgment was delivered by Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed following a pre-election suit filed by PDP governorship aspirant Usman Aliyu Garry, who challenged the process through which Pantami emerged as the party’s candidate.
Pantami had emerged as the PDP candidate through voice affirmation during the party’s governorship primary in May 2026 after defecting from the All Progressives Congress (APC). The party subsequently presented him as its candidate in June.
Garry challenged the process, arguing that the party did not conduct a proper governorship primary in line with its guidelines and applicable electoral requirements. The court consequently nullified the earlier process and directed the PDP to organise a fresh primary.
Reacting to the judgment, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Haruna Mohammed Jungudo, said the party would study the ruling and take immediate steps to comply with the court’s directives.
The party said the timetable and other details for the fresh primary would be communicated to aspirants, stakeholders and members of the public after the necessary arrangements had been concluded. It also urged its members and supporters in Gombe State to remain calm and law-abiding while the process is being put in place.
The ruling has reopened the PDP’s process for selecting its governorship candidate in Gombe ahead of the 2027 election. Pantami has also been ordered to stop presenting himself as the party’s governorship candidate pending the fresh process.
Leave a comment