Tuesday, October 13, 2026 - Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, has given the Independent National Electoral Commission a three-day ultimatum to publish his name as the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State.
In a letter dated October 12, 2026, addressed to the INEC
chairman, his lawyers, Ahmed Raji & Co., challenged what they described as
the unlawful omission of his name from the final candidate list published on
October 10. Lead counsel Ahmed Raji, SAN, said Pantami was duly nominated after
winning a fresh PDP primary on September 29, 2026.
The firm said Pantami, a registered PDP member in Pantami
Ward, purchased the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms,
underwent screening and won its initial primary on May 26. According to the
letter, the PDP submitted his personal particulars through Form EC9 to INEC on
August 8. The commission subsequently published his name on August 29 under
Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The lawyers said the initial primary was challenged in two
suits before the Federal High Court in Gombe, with the plaintiffs questioning
Pantami’s membership of the party. They maintained that judgments delivered on
September 24 resolved the membership question in his favour.
“In the second suit, the court also held that the
non-appearance of Pantami’s name in an exhibit tendered was not conclusive
proof of non-membership. Membership of a political party is ordinarily a matter
within the domestic affairs of the party,” the letter stated. However, the
lawyers said the court nullified the May 26 primary on grounds relating to its
conduct and directed the PDP to hold a fresh exercise within 30 days, allowing
all aspirants cleared on May 14 to participate.
The firm said the party complied with the order, notified
INEC and held another primary on September 29, monitored by commission
officials. Pantami again emerged as the winner, according to the letter. The
lawyers questioned why INEC subsequently omitted his name from the final list
without providing a reason.
“We have our Client’s firm and unequivocal instructions to
demand that the Commission, on or before Wednesday, October 14, publish and
circulate the name of Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim as the candidate of the PDP for the
office of Governor of Gombe State,” the letter stated. The firm urged INEC to
correct the omission immediately and provide written confirmation of the steps
taken to resolve the matter.
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