Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) three days to publish his name as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State.
Pantami’s lawyers, Ahmed Raji & Co., made the demand in a letter dated October 12, 2026, and addressed to the INEC chairman, describing the omission of his name from the commission’s final list of candidates as unlawful.
The lead counsel, Ahmed Raji, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said Pantami emerged victorious in the fresh PDP governorship primary held on September 29, 2026.
According to the letter, Pantami is a registered PDP member in Pantami Ward, Gombe State.
He purchased the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms, underwent screening and clearance, and won the initial primary conducted on May 26, 2026.
The lawyers said the PDP submitted his personal particulars, including Form EC9, to INEC on August 8, 2026.
The commission subsequently published his name on August 29, in accordance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
However, the May primary was challenged in two suits before the Federal High Court in Gombe, with the plaintiffs questioning Pantami’s membership of the party.
Raji said the court resolved the membership issue in Pantami’s favour in judgments delivered on September 24, 2026.
The lawyers noted that the court held in one of the cases that the absence of Pantami’s name from an exhibit presented before it was not conclusive evidence that he was not a party member.
The letter added that the court nullified the May 26 primary over issues relating to its conduct and directed the PDP to organise a fresh exercise within 30 days, allowing all aspirants cleared on May 14 to participate.
According to the legal team, the PDP complied with the order, notified INEC and conducted the fresh primary on September 29, which was monitored by commission officials.
Pantami again emerged as the winner.
The lawyers faulted INEC for omitting his name from the final list of candidates published on October 10 without providing an explanation.
They urged the commission to publish Pantami’s name as the PDP governorship candidate within three days of receiving the letter.
INEC’s response to the demand was not included in the report.
