The Peoples Democratic Party has scheduled a new governorship primary in Gombe State for September 29, following a court decision that nullified the earlier exercise which produced former Communications and Digital Economy Minister, Isa Pantami, as the party’s candidate.
The Federal High Court in Gombe ordered the party to conduct another primary after ruling on September 24 that the process through which Pantami emerged did not meet the required guidelines and electoral provisions.
The PDP’s Gombe State Publicity Secretary, Abdulkadir Ahmed Dukku, announced the new date in a statement issued on Friday.
According to the party, eligible delegates are expected to gather at their respective ward areas on Tuesday to participate in the exercise and vote for their preferred aspirant. The party also called on members and supporters to cooperate with the arrangements and maintain peace throughout the process.
Pantami had emerged as the PDP’s candidate during the May 26 primary through voice affirmation. His emergence was later challenged in court by PDP governorship aspirant Usman Aliyu Garry, who argued that the party had not conducted a valid primary.
The court subsequently ordered the PDP to organise a fresh contest in accordance with its constitution, guidelines and relevant electoral laws.
The new contest is expected to feature Pantami alongside Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki and Usman Aliyu Garry, who have been cleared by the party to participate in the fresh primary.
The development reopens the PDP’s process for selecting its candidate for the 2027 Gombe governorship election, with the party now required to conduct the new primary following the court’s directive.
