The Federal High Court sitting in Gombe has nullified the emergence of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State for the 2027 election.

The court, presided over by Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed, on Thursday ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary within 30 days.

The ruling followed two separate suits filed by Khamisu Mailantarki and Usman Garry, challenging the process through which Pantami emerged as the party’s candidate.

Justice Mohammed held that the process that produced Pantami did not comply with the party’s laid-down procedures and applicable electoral laws, resulting in the exclusion of some aspirants who had been screened and cleared to participate in the primary.

Pantami initially emerged as the PDP’s governorship candidate through a voice affirmation at the party’s primary in May 2026.

The former minister had earlier sought the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but withdrew from the race, citing alleged irregularities in the party’s primary process.

He subsequently defected to the PDP, where he emerged as the party’s governorship candidate.

The plaintiffs also sought an order removing Pantami as a member of the PDP, alleging that he remained a member of the APC.

The court, however, declined to grant that relief and instead ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary within 30 days.

Counsel to the parties expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the case.

Pantami served as Minister of Communications and Digital Economy from 2019 to 2023 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.