The Federal High Court in Gombe State has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party to conduct a fresh governorship primary to select its candidate for the 2027 election.
Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed issued the order on Thursday, September 24, 2026, in a suit filed by PDP governorship aspirant, Usman Aliyu Garry, challenging the emergence of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami.
Garry had questioned the validity of the process that produced Pantami, arguing that it failed to comply with the party’s guidelines and relevant electoral provisions.
Pantami joined the PDP after leaving the All Progressives Congress, which had adopted Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus candidate for the Gombe governorship race.
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He was subsequently presented as the sole aspirant at the PDP primary on May 26, 2026, where his candidacy was affirmed.
His emergence prompted objections from other aspirants, including Garry and Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, who challenged the process in court.
After hearing arguments from the parties, Justice Mohammed reserved judgment and fixed September 24 for her decision.
In the judgment delivered on Thursday, the judge ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary in line with its guidelines and applicable electoral laws.
The ruling effectively sends the party back to the nomination stage to determine its candidate for the 2027 Gombe governorship election.