The Federal High Court sitting in Gombe on Thursday, September 24, nullified the emergence of former minister of communications and digital economy, Isa Ali Pantami, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Gombe state.
The court, presided over by Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed, also ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary within 30 days in accordance with its guidelines and relevant electoral laws.
The judgment followed a pre-election suit filed by PDP governorship aspirant Usman Aliyu Garry, who challenged the process that produced Pantami as the party’s candidate.
Garry argued that the PDP failed to conduct a valid governorship primary in accordance with the party’s guidelines and applicable electoral requirements.
Pantami emerged as the PDP’s candidate through voice affirmation during a governorship primary held on May 26, after leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joining the PDP. The party subsequently presented him as its candidate in June.
The process was challenged by some PDP governorship aspirants, who argued that Pantami’s emergence did not comply with the party’s rules and applicable electoral provisions.
In its judgment, the court directed the PDP to repeat the governorship primary in compliance with its constitution, guidelines and relevant electoral laws.
The court also ordered Pantami to stop presenting himself as the PDP governorship candidate in Gombe state.
Pantami had earlier sought the APC governorship ticket but withdrew from the party’s primary before joining the PDP. The APC subsequently settled on Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna as its candidate.
The court proceedings also involved other legal challenges to Pantami’s emergence, including a suit filed by another PDP governorship aspirant, Khamisu Mailantarki.
Pantami served as Nigeria’s minister of communications and digital economy from 2019 to 2023 under the administration of former president Muhammadu Buhari.
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