The Federal High Court sitting in Gombe State has nullified the emergence of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
The court also ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary in the state in line with its guidelines and relevant electoral laws.
Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed gave the order on Thursday while delivering judgment in a pre-election suit filed by a PDP governorship aspirant, Usman Aliyu Garry.
Garry had challenged Pantami’s emergence as the party’s candidate, arguing that the process through which he secured the ticket did not comply with the requirements for conducting a valid primary election.
The suit followed the PDP’s decision to recognise Pantami as its governorship candidate after he joined the party from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Pantami had initially sought the APC governorship ticket but later left the party after the APC settled for Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus candidate in Gombe.
He subsequently joined the PDP and emerged as the party’s candidate through a voice affirmation at its governorship primary.
Garry challenged the process, contending that the required primary election was not properly conducted before Pantami was declared the party’s flag bearer.
The case was heard by Justice Mohammed, who had reserved judgment in July after lawyers representing the parties adopted their final written addresses and concluded their arguments.
During the proceedings, Garry’s counsel, Eko-Ejembi Eko, urged the court to grant the reliefs sought by his client, maintaining that the suit was meritorious and warranted judicial intervention.
However, counsel to Pantami, Mohammed Abdul, SAN, represented in court by Benjamin Sati, urged the court to dismiss the case.
The defence maintained that Pantami’s emergence complied with the law and the internal procedures of the PDP.
Counsel to the PDP also challenged the competence of the suit and urged the court to dismiss it.
After considering the arguments and processes filed by the parties, the court ruled that the PDP must conduct a fresh governorship primary to produce its candidate for the 2027 Gombe governorship election.
