The Federal High Court in Gombe State has nullified the emergence of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2027 Gombe State governorship election.

The court ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary within 30 days, following a suit filed by one of the party’s governorship aspirants, Usman Aliyu Garry, challenging the process that produced Pantami as the party’s candidate.

The judgment effectively sets aside the earlier primary through which Pantami emerged as the PDP’s governorship candidate and requires the party to conduct another exercise in accordance with its constitution, guidelines and applicable electoral laws.

The court also directed Pantami to stop parading himself as the PDP’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

Pantami had emerged as the PDP candidate after a governorship primary held on May 26, 2026, during which his emergence was reportedly affirmed by voice vote.

His emergence followed his departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he had initially sought the party’s governorship ticket.

However, the PDP nomination process subsequently became the subject of legal challenges by other aspirants.

Garry approached the Federal High Court to challenge the validity of the process, arguing that the procedure used to produce Pantami did not comply with the party’s rules and relevant electoral provisions.

The PDP and Pantami opposed the suit and defended the validity of the nomination process.

Delivering judgment, the court ruled in favour of the challenge and directed the PDP to return to the primary process and conduct a fresh election within 30 days.

The ruling means that Pantami’s earlier nomination cannot presently stand as the PDP’s governorship ticket for the 2027 election, subject to any appeal or further judicial pronouncement.

The development also reopens the party’s governorship contest in Gombe State, giving eligible aspirants another opportunity to seek the PDP ticket.

Another aspirant, Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, has also been involved in legal proceedings concerning the party’s governorship nomination.

The PDP is now expected to begin arrangements for the fresh primary in compliance with the court’s directive.

The outcome of the new exercise will determine the individual who emerges as the party’s candidate for the 2027 Gombe State governorship election, unless the judgment is overturned on appeal or affected by further court proceedings.

The ruling comes as political parties continue preparations for the 2027 general elections, with internal nomination processes increasingly becoming the subject of legal challenges by dissatisfied aspirants.