The Peoples Democratic Party in Gombe State has fixed September 29, 2026, for a fresh governorship primary following a Federal High Court judgment nullifying its earlier exercise.
The party also cleared former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Pantami, Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki and Usman Aliyu Garry to participate in the rescheduled primary.
The development was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Abdulkadir Ahmed Dukku.
Dukku said the repeat primary would be held on Tuesday, with eligible delegates expected to assemble at their respective ward areas to vote for their preferred aspirant.
“Following the nullification, the PDP wishes to inform all its card-carrying members that there will be a gubernatorial repeat primary election on Tuesday, 29th September, 2026,” he said.
“All eligible voters are expected to assemble at their respective ward areas to vote an aspirant of their choice.”
The decision followed Thursday’s judgment of the Federal High Court in Gombe, which nullified the earlier governorship primary and ordered the party to conduct a fresh exercise within 30 days.
The court’s ruling had challenged the process that produced Pantami as the PDP’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
However, the Gombe PDP said it received the judgment in good faith and would respect the decision of the court.
The party also welcomed the aspect of the judgment which, according to it, validated Pantami’s membership and entry procedures into the PDP as well as his participation in the May 2026 primary.
“The judgment is presently receiving the attention of the party leadership and contestants,” the statement said.
“While the legal implications and directives contained in the judgment are being studied, we urge all members, supporters and stakeholders of our great party in Gombe State to remain calm, peaceful and united.”
Dukku further maintained that the court’s verdict did not prevent Pantami from participating in the rescheduled primary.
He urged party members to avoid speculation and inflammatory statements capable of creating tension in the state.
The PDP spokesman assured members that the party would take all necessary steps within the law to protect its interests and uphold its internal democratic processes.
Pantami had emerged as the PDP governorship candidate in May after his defection from the All Progressives Congress. His emergence was subsequently challenged in court by other aspirants.
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