The Federal High Court sitting in Gombe has nullified the process that produced former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, as the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
The court ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary in Gombe State in accordance with its guidelines and applicable electoral provisions.
Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed gave the order on Thursday while delivering judgment in a suit filed by another PDP governorship aspirant, Usman Aliyu Garry, who challenged Pantami’s emergence.
Garry had argued that the process through which Pantami emerged did not amount to a valid governorship primary and was not conducted in line with the party’s guidelines and relevant electoral provisions.
Pantami had joined the PDP after failing to secure the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress, which eventually settled on Jamilu Gwamna as its candidate.
After moving to the PDP, Pantami emerged from the party’s governorship process in May through voice affirmation and was subsequently announced as the party’s sole candidate on June 26, 2026.
However, Garry challenged the process in court, prompting the PDP and Pantami to defend the validity of his emergence.
In its judgment, the court directed the PDP to return to the field and conduct a fresh primary that complies with its rules and applicable electoral laws.
The ruling has effectively reopened the PDP governorship contest in Gombe State, with the party now expected to conduct another primary to determine its candidate for the 2027 election.
Meanwhile, Pantami has continued his engagements with stakeholders in Gombe State, including former Heads of Service and retired Permanent Secretaries, over challenges affecting the state civil service.
During a meeting with the retired senior public servants, concerns were raised over alleged deviations from established procedures in appointments and promotions, the use of the designation “Overseeing Permanent Secretary,” delays in promotion exercises, remuneration and workers’ welfare.
Pantami said he had developed a reform blueprint in consultation with serving and retired public servants to address some of the concerns.
He said the proposed reforms would undergo further consultations before implementation, adding that his previous experience in reforming federal agencies, including the National Information Technology Development Agency and the National Identity Management Commission, could provide useful lessons for the Gombe civil service.
The former minister said the proposed reforms would focus on areas such as remuneration, allowances, career progression and institutional development.