Federal High Court Gombe: PDP Primary Nullification, Fresh Election Ordered

• A Federal High Court in Gombe nullified the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) governorship primary election for the 2027 Gombe State election.
• The court ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh primary within 30 days, following a pre-election suit filed by aspirant Usman Aliyu Garry.
• The nullified primary had produced Professor Isa Ali Pantami as the candidate through voice affirmation, a process challenged for non-compliance with party and electoral provisions.
• The PDP, through its National Publicity Secretary Haruna Mohammed Jungudo, has affirmed its commitment to complying with the judgment and will announce details for the new primary.
• Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed delivered the ruling, which reinforces the judiciary's role in ensuring internal party democracy and adherence to electoral laws.

This judicial intervention underscores the critical role of the courts in upholding the integrity of internal party processes and ensuring strict adherence to established electoral guidelines.

A Federal High Court sitting in Gombe has nullified the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) governorship primary election for the 2027 Gombe State election, which had initially produced former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, as the party's candidate. The court's decision mandates the PDP to conduct a fresh primary election within a 30-day timeframe to determine its flag-bearer for the upcoming gubernatorial contest.

Following the judgment, the PDP's National Publicity Secretary, Haruna Mohammed Jungudo, issued a statement on Thursday, indicating the party's intention to comply with the court's directives. Jungudo affirmed that the PDP would meticulously review the judgment and undertake all necessary actions to implement the court's orders. This ruling sets the stage for a new selection process for the party's governorship candidate in Gombe.

The nullification stemmed from a pre-election suit initiated by Usman Aliyu Garry, a PDP governorship aspirant, who contested the legitimacy of the process that led to Professor Pantami's emergence. Garry's legal challenge asserted that the primary election procedure failed to adhere to the PDP's established guidelines and relevant electoral provisions, thereby rendering the outcome invalid.

Professor Pantami, who had previously defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC), secured the PDP candidacy through a voice affirmation method during a governorship primary held in May 2026. He was subsequently presented by the party as its sole candidate in June. Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed delivered the pivotal judgment, siding with Garry's arguments regarding the procedural irregularities.

In response to the court's decision, the PDP has publicly reiterated its dedication to the principles of internal democracy, due process, and strict adherence to its constitution, electoral guidelines, and all applicable laws. The party's statement acknowledged the Federal High Court Gombe PDP primary nullification and the subsequent order for a fresh primary.

As a political entity committed to the rule of law, the PDP stated it would carefully study the judgment to ensure full compliance with the court's directives. The party announced its intention to commence the necessary arrangements for the conduct of a fresh governorship primary in Gombe State. Details regarding the date, timetable, and other logistical aspects of this new primary will be communicated to aspirants, stakeholders, party members, and the general public once finalized. The PDP also urged its members, supporters, and stakeholders in Gombe State to maintain calm, uphold the law, and remain united during this period.

This Federal High Court Gombe PDP primary nullification serves as a significant reinforcement of the judiciary's role in safeguarding internal party democracy and ensuring strict adherence to electoral guidelines in Nigeria. The Gombe governorship fresh primary order directly addresses concerns over procedural integrity, particularly regarding methods like voice affirmation, which were found to be non-compliant with party and statutory provisions.

This judicial intervention underscores the critical role of the courts in upholding the integrity of internal party processes and ensuring strict adherence to established electoral guidelines. It sets a precedent for challenging primary election procedures, emphasizing that political parties must meticulously follow their own rules and the broader Nigerian electoral law party primaries to avoid judicial intervention and the nullification of candidacies, such as the Isa Ali Pantami PDP candidacy nullified in this instance.

This ruling reinforces the judiciary's role in upholding internal party democracy and strict adherence to electoral guidelines. Lawyers advising political parties or aspirants should note the precedent for challenging primary election procedures, particularly regarding methods like voice affirmation, to ensure compliance with statutory and party provisions.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspapers