INEC drops Pantami from final list of Gombe governorship candidates
By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, from the final list of governorship candidates for Gombe State.
Pantami, who was included on a provisional list released on August 29, did not appear on the final list issued on Saturday night.
Initially, he secured the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidacy after leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) on May 19. However, his selection faced legal challenges. Ahmed Mailantarki, another PDP aspirant, contested Pantami’s victory in court, leading to a Federal High Court in Gombe nullifying the election and ordering a new primary, which Pantami won again.
Nevertheless, a significant hurdle emerged from a Supreme Court ruling on September 24 that reinstated specific sections of the Electoral Act 2026. These provisions prevent political parties from nominating candidates who are not listed on the membership register submitted to INEC within the required timeframe.
A total of 16 candidates have been approved to compete in the Gombe State governorship election scheduled for February 6, 2027. Among them are Bala Bello Tinka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna of the APC, and Babayo Ardo Kumo of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Additional candidates include Zubairu Mu’azu Halilu of the Labour Party, Lamela L. Silas of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Ibrahim Jalo Abubakar of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), and Adamu Mohammed Ma’aji of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Speculation regarding Pantami’s eligibility had persisted, with Mohammed Haruna, an INEC National Commissioner, previously indicating on Trust TV’s Daily Politics that compliance with the Supreme Court ruling could result in some parties being unable to field candidates in the upcoming election.
