The Federal High Court sitting in Gombe has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party to conduct a fresh governorship primary election in Gombe State.
Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed gave the order on Thursday in a suit filed by Usman Aliyu Garry challenging the emergence of Prof. Isa Ali Pantami as the party’s candidate.
Garry had challenged Pantami’s emergence after the PDP announced him as its sole candidate on June 26, 2026.
He argued that the party failed to conduct the required governorship primary in accordance with its rules and applicable electoral laws.
Pantami, a former All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant, defected to the PDP after the APC settled for Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus candidate.
He subsequently emerged as the PDP candidate through voice affirmation at the party’s governorship primary held in May.
However, in the judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Mohammed ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh primary in line with its guidelines and relevant electoral laws.
The ruling could force the PDP to reopen the race for its Gombe governorship ticket, subject to the full terms and effect of the judgment.
Details later.
