INEC Omits Pantami: Gombe Governorship List Confirmed After Court Ruling

• INEC has released a list of 16 candidates for the Gombe State governorship election, scheduled for February 6, 2027.
• The Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) candidate, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, was omitted from INEC's list.
• Professor Pantami had secured his nomination in a fresh primary election held in September 2026.
• This fresh primary was conducted after a court voided his initial nomination.

This incident serves as a crucial reminder that judicial review can critically impact primary election outcomes and candidate eligibility, necessitating meticulous adherence to electoral laws to prevent disqualification by INEC.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently published its official roster of candidates approved to participate in the forthcoming Gombe State governorship election. This list, comprising sixteen individuals, notably excluded the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) aspirant, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami. The fact that INEC omits Pantami Gombe governorship list signifies a pivotal development in the state's political landscape, directly impacting the PDP's representation in the gubernatorial race.

Professor Pantami had previously emerged as the PDP's flagbearer following a newly conducted primary election. This fresh electoral exercise took place in September 2026, a necessity arising from a prior judicial decision that had invalidated his initial nomination. The requirement for a rerun primary underscores the stringent oversight applied to candidate selection processes within the Nigerian political system, particularly when legal challenges are brought forth.

The imperative to conduct a fresh primary election for the PDP's Gombe State governorship election candidate was a direct consequence of a court's ruling. A judicial pronouncement had effectively voided his earlier nomination, indicating that the initial process was found to be non-compliant with established regulations or flawed in its execution. This judicial intervention highlights the critical role played by the judiciary in upholding the integrity of internal party democracy and ensuring adherence to the Nigeria electoral law Gombe.

Such court-ordered invalidations of primary nominations are not isolated incidents and serve as a robust check on the actions of political parties. They reinforce the principle that even internal party affairs, especially those pertaining to the selection of candidates for public office, are subject to legal review and must conform to the provisions of the Electoral Act and party constitutions. The subsequent fresh primary in September 2026 was a direct response to this legal challenge, aimed at rectifying the issues identified by the court.

The exclusion of Professor Pantami from the INEC Gombe candidate list, stemming from a court's decision to void his earlier nomination, carries profound implications for political parties and their legal advisors across Nigeria. It underscores the absolute necessity for meticulous adherence to electoral laws and party guidelines throughout the primary election process. The Independent National Electoral Commission relies on the validity of these processes, and any judicial invalidation directly impacts a candidate's eligibility, irrespective of their perceived victory in a primary.

This incident serves as a crucial reminder that judicial review can critically impact primary election outcomes and candidate eligibility, necessitating meticulous adherence to electoral laws to prevent disqualification by INEC. Lawyers advising political parties or candidates in Nigeria must therefore prioritize rigorous compliance checks at every stage of the nomination process. Failure to do so, as demonstrated by the PDP Pantami court voided nomination, can lead to a candidate's ultimate disqualification, regardless of their success in an internal party contest.

Lawyers advising political parties or candidates in Nigeria should note the critical impact of judicial review on primary election outcomes and candidate eligibility, necessitating meticulous adherence to electoral laws to prevent disqualification by INEC.

Source: Original reporting via Premium Times Nigeria