Gombe Federal High Court begins hearing in PDP governorship primary suits

The Federal High Court in Gombe has commenced hearing in pre-election suits challenging the nomination of Prof Isa Pantami as the People’s Democratic Party governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Gombe State. Justice Amina-Aliyu Mohammed adjourned both suits until July 9 after counsel for the respondents requested more time to file their responses. The suits were filed by two PDP governorship aspirants, Khamis Mailantarki and Alhaji Hamma-Sale Abdulkadir, who are contesting Pantami’s nomination. They allege that Pantami emerged as the candidate without a valid primary election or a lawful consensus process, did not purchase the PDP nomination form, and did not participate in the party’s screening. The plaintiffs also claim Pantami was pursuing the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress during the same period and was not a member of the PDP when he was allegedly adopted by consensus. The PDP, Pantami, and the Independent National Electoral Commission are joined as respondents in the suits.