The court ruling followed a legal challenge by PDP governorship aspirant Usman Aliyu Garry, who argued that the process that produced Pantami did not comply with the party’s guidelines and applicable electoral laws. The court directed the party to conduct a fresh primary within 30 days.

Pantami had previously withdrawn from the APC governorship contest before joining the PDP, where he emerged as the party’s candidate through voice affirmation. The latest ruling has reopened the process of selecting the PDP’s governorship candidate for Gombe State.

What remains to be seen is whether Pantami will participate in the fresh primary, how the PDP will manage the competing interests of its aspirants, and whether the party’s next nomination process will withstand further legal challenges.

The development adds another layer to the political contest ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State.