PDP to Conduct Fresh Gombe Governorship Primary After Court Ruling

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will conduct a fresh governorship primary election in Gombe State after a Federal High Court sitting in the state nullified the earlier exercise that produced former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election.

The court, presided over by Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed, ordered the PDP to conduct another primary in accordance with its constitution, electoral guidelines and applicable laws.

The judgment followed a suit filed by PDP governorship aspirant Usman Aliyu Garry, who challenged the process through which Pantami emerged as the party’s candidate.

Garry had argued that the PDP failed to conduct a valid governorship primary in accordance with its rules and relevant electoral provisions.

Pantami, a former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC, joined the PDP after the APC settled on Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus candidate in Gombe.

He subsequently emerged as the PDP’s governorship candidate through a voice affirmation at a party primary held in May 2026.

The process was challenged by some PDP aspirants, including Garry and Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, who questioned the manner in which Pantami emerged and sought judicial intervention.

Following Thursday’s judgment, the PDP said it would comply with the court’s directive and begin arrangements for a fresh governorship primary in the state.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Haruna Mohammed Jungudo, said the PDP would carefully study the judgment and take the necessary steps to implement the court’s directives.

He said the fresh primary would be conducted in line with the party’s constitution, electoral guidelines and applicable laws.

Jungudo also urged PDP members, supporters and stakeholders in Gombe to remain calm and united as the party works to implement the judgment.

The party had yet to announce a date for the fresh exercise as of Thursday, saying the timetable and other details would be communicated to aspirants, stakeholders and the general public after the necessary arrangements had been concluded.

The ruling reopens the contest for the PDP governorship ticket in Gombe State and requires the party to organise another nomination process that complies with the court’s directives as it prepares for the 2027 governorship election.