PDP To Reopen Gombe Governorship Race After Court Judgment

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to reopen its 2027 governorship race in Gombe State after the Federal High Court sitting in Gombe nullified the primary that produced former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, as the party’s candidate.

The court, presided over by Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed, ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary in accordance with its guidelines and relevant electoral laws.

Pantami had emerged as the PDP governorship candidate through a voice affirmation at the party’s primary held on May 26, 2026, after he left the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the PDP. The party subsequently presented him as its candidate.

However, his emergence was challenged in court by PDP governorship aspirants, including Usman Aliyu Garry, who questioned the validity of the process that produced Pantami as the party’s candidate.

Garry argued that the PDP did not conduct a valid governorship primary in accordance with its guidelines and applicable electoral requirements. Pantami and the PDP opposed the challenge and defended the validity of the process.

In its judgment on Thursday, the court ordered the party to return to the primary election process and conduct a fresh exercise to determine its candidate for the 2027 Gombe governorship election.

The development effectively reopens the PDP governorship contest in the state and puts Pantami’s earlier emergence as the party’s candidate back before the party’s primary election process.

Reacting to the judgment, the PDP said it would comply with the court order and commence the necessary processes towards conducting a fresh governorship primary.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said the PDP had noted the judgment of the Federal High Court and would take immediate steps to ensure full compliance with its 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,” Mohammed said.

He said the party would carefully study the judgment and remain committed to internal democracy, due process, fairness and strict adherence to its Constitution, Electoral Guidelines and applicable laws.

“Accordingly, the Party will commence the necessary processes towards the conduct of a fresh Governorship Primary in Gombe State in compliance with the judgment,” the statement said.

The PDP said the date, timetable and other details of the fresh primary would be communicated to aspirants, stakeholders, party members and the general public once the necessary arrangements had been concluded.

The party also urged its members and supporters in Gombe State to remain calm, law-abiding and united as it takes steps to implement the judgment.

Pantami had initially contested for the APC governorship ticket in Gombe but withdrew from the party’s primary amid disagreements over the process.

He subsequently joined the PDP, where he emerged as its governorship candidate through the May 26 primary.