‎BY AHMED AKANBI

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‎The Federal High Court in Gombe has nullified the emergence of Prof Isa Ali Pantami as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Gombe State.

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‎Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed gave the order on Thursday and directed the PDP to conduct a fresh primary.

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‎The judgment followed a suit filed by PDP aspirant, Usman Aliyu Garry, who challenged Pantami’s emergence.

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‎Garry asked the court to set aside Pantami’s candidacy, arguing that PDP failed to conduct a valid primary in line with its guidelines and electoral laws.

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‎Pantami, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, defected from APC to PDP after APC settled for Jamilu Gwamna as its governorship candidate.

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‎He emerged as PDP candidate in the party’s May 26 governorship primary.

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‎Garry’s suit was among pre-election cases challenging Pantami’s candidacy.

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‎Pantami’s counsel argued that his client resigned from APC on May 19, 2026 before contesting PDP primary, while PDP urged the court to strike out the case.

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‎Garry’s counsel urged the court to dismiss the objections and grant his reliefs.

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‎In July, the court had reserved judgment after parties adopted final written addresses.

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‎In Thursday’s judgment, the court held that PDP must conduct a fresh governorship primary in compliance with its rules and electoral laws.