Gombe Federal High Court: Pantami Primary Nullification Forces Rerun

• A fresh PDP governorship primary is being held in Gombe State today for the 2027 election, featuring Isa Pantami, Khamisu Mailantarki, and Usman Garry.
• This rerun was ordered by the Federal High Court in Gombe, which nullified the initial May 26 primary that had produced Isa Pantami.
• The nullification followed a suit filed by Usman Garry, who challenged the process for non-compliance with PDP rules and electoral laws.
• Justice Amina Mohammed's judgment on September 24 directed the PDP to conduct a new primary within 30 days, adhering to its constitution and relevant laws.
• Professor Pantami's entry into the PDP, after withdrawing from the APC contest, significantly reshaped the party's internal political landscape.

The Federal High Court's decision to nullify the May 26 primary underscores the judiciary's critical role in ensuring compliance with established legal frameworks governing internal party elections.

A fresh governorship primary election is underway today in Gombe State, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeks to determine its standard-bearer for the 2027 election. This new contest features former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami, alongside businessman and politician Khamisu Mailantarki, and Usman Garry, all vying for the party's ticket. The rerun was necessitated by a Federal High Court order in Gombe, which nullified an earlier primary.

The initial primary, held on May 26, had produced Professor Pantami as the party's candidate. However, this outcome was challenged by fellow PDP governorship aspirant Usman Garry, who subsequently filed a suit against the former minister. Garry specifically objected to Pantami's affirmation as the candidate of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction, arguing that the process was flawed. The Federal High Court, in a judgment delivered on September 24, sided with Garry, setting aside Pantami's emergence and directing the PDP to conduct a new exercise within 30 days.

The Federal High Court's decision to nullify the May 26 primary underscores the judiciary's critical role in ensuring compliance with established legal frameworks governing internal party elections. Justice Amina Mohammed, who delivered the judgment, found significant problems with the process that led to Professor Pantami's initial selection. Usman Garry's suit contended that the PDP had failed to conduct a valid governorship primary in accordance with its own constitutional provisions, internal guidelines, and relevant Nigeria electoral law.

The court's ruling explicitly directed the PDP to repeat the exercise, emphasizing the imperative to adhere strictly to its Constitution, guidelines, and applicable electoral laws. This Gombe Federal High Court Pantami primary nullification serves as a potent reminder to political parties and aspirants alike that meticulous adherence to regulatory frameworks is non-negotiable. Any deviation can lead to a Federal High Court electoral dispute, potentially invalidating results and necessitating costly and time-consuming reruns, as seen in this instance of the Isa Pantami election nullification.

The re-convened PDP Gombe governorship primary for 2027 is unfolding amidst complex political dynamics, significantly shaped by Professor Pantami's entry into the race. Before joining the PDP, Pantami had sought the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but withdrew when the party settled on Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus candidate. His subsequent move to the PDP immediately altered the calculations within the opposition party, as other aspirants, including Mailantarki, Saleh Abdulkadir, Garry, and Monica Kaltho, were already preparing for the contest.

Professor Pantami's national profile, stemming from his tenure as a former Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency and former minister, lends a heightened significance to this primary. His supporters contend that his extensive experience, networks, and resources position him as a formidable challenger to the APC candidate, Jamilu Gwamna. PDP chieftain Mohammed Kudu echoed this sentiment, expressing doubts about the capacity of other aspirants like Khamisu Mailantarki, Saleh Abdulkadir, and Usman Garry to effectively confront the APC. Kudu highlighted Pantami's financial capital, international connections, and human resources, asserting that he is uniquely equipped to face Gwamna, whom he described as a 'grassroots' politician. This perspective underscores the party's strategic consideration for a candidate with substantial political, financial, and organizational backing to mount a serious challenge in the upcoming election.

This ruling underscores the judiciary's role in enforcing compliance with party constitutions and electoral laws during primary elections. Lawyers advising political parties or aspirants must ensure meticulous adherence to these regulations to prevent nullification of results by the courts.

Source: Original reporting via The Punch