The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced plans to conduct a fresh governorship primary in Gombe State after a Federal High Court nullified the emergence of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election.
The court, sitting in Gombe, voided the process through which Pantami emerged as the PDP governorship candidate and directed the party to organise another primary to select its candidate for the election.
Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed gave the order on Thursday while delivering judgment in a suit filed by Usman Aliyu Garry, who challenged Pantami’s emergence on the grounds that the PDP did not conduct a valid governorship primary.
Following the judgment, the PDP said it would comply with the court’s directives and begin the necessary process for another primary.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said the PDP had taken note of the judgment and would study its details before implementing the court’s directives.
“The PDP, as a responsible and law abiding political party, is a strong respecter of the rule of law and the authority of the judiciary,” Jungudo said.
He said the party remained committed to conducting its affairs in accordance with its constitution, electoral guidelines and relevant laws.
“The Party remains firmly committed to the principles of internal democracy, due process, fairness and strict adherence to its Constitution, Electoral Guidelines and the applicable laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.
According to the PDP, preparations for the fresh governorship primary will commence following the court order. However, the party did not announce a date for the new exercise.
“Accordingly, the Party will commence the necessary processes towards the conduct of a fresh Governorship Primary in Gombe State in compliance with the judgment,” Jungudo said.
He added that the timetable and other arrangements for the exercise would be communicated to aspirants, stakeholders, party members and the general public after they had been concluded.
The party also appealed to its members and supporters in Gombe State to remain calm and united as it works to implement the judgment.
“The PDP calls on all its members, supporters and stakeholders in Gombe State to remain calm, law-abiding and united as the Party takes the necessary steps to implement the judgment,” Jungudo said.
The court case followed the PDP’s decision to recognise Pantami as its governorship candidate after he defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Pantami had initially sought the APC governorship ticket but left the party after the APC settled on Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus candidate.
He subsequently joined the PDP and took part in the party’s governorship primary held in May 2026, where he emerged through voice affirmation.
However, Garry challenged the process before the Federal High Court, arguing that the procedure did not meet the requirements for a valid governorship primary.
The PDP had announced Pantami as its candidate on June 26, 2026, but the legal challenge remained before the court.
During proceedings in July, counsel representing the parties adopted their final written addresses and presented their arguments before the court reserved judgment.
Counsel to Garry, Eko-Ejembi Eko, urged the court to grant the reliefs sought by his client, maintaining that the case had merit and warranted the intervention of the court.
Counsel to Pantami, Mohammed Abdul, SAN, represented by Benjamin Sati, asked the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that Pantami’s emergence complied with the law and the PDP’s procedures.
Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed later delivered judgment in favour of the challenge and ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary.
The court also directed that the new exercise must comply with the party’s guidelines and the relevant provisions of the electoral laws.