2027: Fresh battle for Pantami

In Gombe State, a fresh legal challenge has erupted over the selection of Prof. Isa Ali Pantami as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate for the 2027 election. Yesterday, the Federal High Court in Gombe ruled that Pantami's emergence as the party's candidate was invalid, ordering the party to hold a new primary election.

The court's decision was made while delivering judgment in a suit filed by PDP gubernatorial aspirants Khamisu Mailantarki and Usman Garry, who contested the process through which Pantami was declared the candidate on June 26, 2026. The court found that the PDP did not conduct a valid primary election in accordance with its guidelines and relevant electoral laws, as Mailantarki and Garry were not allowed to participate in the earlier primary despite being screened and cleared as aspirants.

The case stems from Pantami's withdrawal from the APC governorship race on May 21, 2026, over alleged violations of the Electoral Act 2026 and the party's failure to provide a proper communication channel. Following his exit from the APC, Pantami joined the PDP and emerged as their candidate after securing affirmation from party delegates during the party's primary election held on May 26, 2026.