The Peoples Democratic Party has scheduled September 29, 2026, for a fresh governorship primary in Gombe State after a Federal High Court nullified the process that produced former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election.
The new primary will take place across designated ward areas in the state, with eligible PDP delegates expected to participate in the exercise and choose the party’s candidate.
The decision followed a ruling delivered by the Federal High Court in Gombe on Thursday, September 24, which set aside the earlier primary and directed the PDP to conduct another election in line with its constitution, party guidelines and applicable electoral laws.
The PDP’s Gombe State Publicity Secretary, Abdulkadir Ahmed Dukku, announced the new date in a statement issued on Friday. He called on eligible delegates to assemble at their respective ward areas for the exercise.
The party also appealed to its members, supporters and other stakeholders to cooperate with the arrangements and maintain peace and order throughout the process.
Pantami had emerged as the PDP’s governorship candidate after being adopted through voice affirmation during the party’s May 26 primary. His emergence was later challenged by other aspirants, including Usman Aliyu Garry, who questioned the validity of the process.
Garry subsequently approached the court, arguing that the procedure used to produce Pantami did not meet the requirements for a valid governorship primary.
The court later nullified Pantami’s emergence and ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh primary within 30 days.
The fresh exercise is expected to reopen the contest for the PDP governorship ticket in Gombe State. The party has cleared Pantami, Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki and Usman Aliyu Garry to participate in the rescheduled primary.
The outcome of the September 29 exercise will determine who emerges as the PDP’s candidate for the 2027 Gombe State governorship election, subject to any further legal developments.