Court Nullifies Pantami’s Governorship Ticket, Orders Fresh PDP Primary in Gombe

By Nafiu Muhammad Lema

The Federal High Court sitting in Gombe has nullified the emergence of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State, ordering the party to conduct a fresh primary election.

Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed delivered the judgment on Thursday, September 24, 2026, following a suit filed by Usman Aliyu Garry, who challenged the process through which Pantami secured the party’s ticket.

Garry argued that the PDP failed to conduct the required primary election before announcing Pantami as its sole governorship candidate on June 26, 2026.

Pantami had previously sought the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but defected to the PDP after the APC adopted Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus candidate.

He subsequently emerged as the PDP candidate through a voice affirmation during the party’s governorship primary reportedly held in May.

In her judgment, Justice Mohammed directed the PDP to organise a fresh governorship primary in compliance with its guidelines and relevant electoral laws.

Earlier proceedings in July confirmed that Garry had challenged Pantami’s nomination, while Pantami’s legal team maintained that his emergence complied with the law and the party’s procedures.

Further details of Thursday’s judgment, including any possible appeal by Pantami or the PDP, are still awaited.