PDP speaks on Pantami’s omission from Gombe governorship candidates’ list

The Gombe State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on its members, supporters, and the general public to maintain calm following the omission of its governorship candidate, Isa Pantami, from the list of candidates published on Saturday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a statement signed by the state publicity secretary, Abdulkadir Dukku, the PDP said that the circulating list omitting Mr Pantami has raised concern, and the party has not received any formal document or official communication from INEC confirming the exclusion.

Mr Dukku stated that the party was concerned over the non-appearance of Mr Pantami’s name, especially given that its court-ordered repeat primary election was monitored by INEC officials on 29 September.

“We appeal to INEC to respect the rule of law by playing its statutory role in the democratic process toward ensuring equity and justice among all political parties,” the statement read.

The party assured supporters that its legal team was engaging with relevant electoral authorities and democratic institutions to rectify the omission and ensure Mr Pantami’s name appears on the official candidates’ list.

The party spokesperson also attributed the development to political detractors seeking to derail responsible leadership in the state, while urging party members to stay resolute in their pursuit of political progress for Gombe State.

The back and forth

Mr Pantami, who served as the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy from 2019 to 2023, defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP after losing the APC governorship primary.

He controversially emerged as the Nyesom Wike-backed PDP’s governorship candidate through a voice affirmation primary after the other aspirants were disqualified.

Some of the aspirants challenged his nomination at the Federal High Court in Gombe, arguing that the initial primary failed to meet standard electoral procedures and questioning Mr Pantami’s membership status in the PDP.

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On 24 September, the Federal High Court ruled on the matter. While the court affirmed Mr Pantami’s status as a valid PDP member, it nullified the May primary election due to procedural non-compliance. It ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary within 30 days.

In compliance with the court judgment, the PDP held a repeat primary election on 29 September, which Mr Pantami won.

The PDP said that, having complied with the judicial ruling and conducted a fresh primary witnessed by electoral inspectors, Mr Pantami was duly nominated as the PDP flagbearer for Gombe State.