Court nullifies Pantami’s ticket, orders fresh PDP primary
By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
GOMBE — The Federal High Court in Gombe has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to hold a new governorship primary, effectively nullifying the selection of Prof. Isa Ali Pantami as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election.
Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed issued the ruling on Thursday after hearing a case brought by Usman Aliyu Garry, a PDP gubernatorial aspirant, who contested the legitimacy of Pantami’s selection. Garry claimed that the process leading to Pantami’s candidacy did not align with the party’s guidelines or electoral law.
Pantami recently joined the PDP after his bid for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket faltered, with the APC subsequently choosing Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus candidate. Pantami was declared the PDP’s sole candidate following a voice affirmation in May and an official announcement on June 26, 2026.
The court has mandated the PDP to carry out a new governorship primary in line with its established rules and relevant electoral regulations. This decision reopens the contest for the PDP gubernatorial ticket in Gombe State as the party prepares to select its nominee for the upcoming election.
In a separate development, Pantami recently convened a meeting with former Heads of Service and retired Permanent Secretaries from Gombe State to address challenges facing the state civil service and propose necessary reforms.
The delegation included notable figures such as Alhaji Usman Ahmed Maburuk and Alhaji Adamu Hussaini Abubakar, alongside other senior retired public servants. PDP state chairman Major-General Amnon Kalaye Kwaskebe (retd.) and other party officials also attended.
During the meeting, the retired officials voiced concerns regarding perceived obstacles within the civil service, raising issues related to deviations from standard procedures in appointments and promotions, the emergence of the “Overseeing Permanent Secretary” designation, delays in promotion exercises, inadequate remuneration, and overall staff welfare. They urged for measures to bolster the civil service and enhance working conditions.
In response, Pantami indicated that he has developed a reform blueprint in consultation with current and former public servants, aimed at tackling these challenges. He noted that the proposed policies would undergo additional consultations with relevant stakeholders to ensure they effectively address the concerns of civil servants.
Pantami referenced his previous experiences in reforming federal agencies, such as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), where he implemented revised conditions of service. He emphasized that insights gained from these experiences could inform improvements within the Gombe State civil service, particularly in areas such as remuneration, allowances, career progression, and institutional development.
Both Pantami and the retired public servants expressed a commitment to collaborate on addressing the civil service’s challenges, with the proposed reform agenda anticipated to be included in political discussions leading up to the May 29, 2027, governorship election.
