Pantami gives INEC 72 hours to publish his name on governorship list

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, has given the Independent National Electoral Commission a three-day ultimatum to publish his name as the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State.

In a letter dated October 12, 2026, addressed to the INEC chairman, his lawyers, Ahmed Raji & Co., challenged what they described as the unlawful omission of his name from the final candidate list published on October 10. Lead counsel Ahmed Raji, SAN, said Pantami was duly nominated after winning a fresh PDP primary on September 29, 2026.

The firm said Pantami, a registered PDP member in Pantami Ward, purchased the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms, underwent screening and won its initial primary on May 26. According to the letter, the PDP submitted his personal particulars through Form EC9 to INEC on August 8. The commission subsequently published his name on August 29 under Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026.

The lawyers said the initial primary was challenged in two suits before the Federal High Court in Gombe, with the plaintiffs questioning Pantami’s membership of the party. They maintained that judgments delivered on September 24 resolved the membership question in his favour.

“In the second suit, the court also held that the non-appearance of Pantami’s name in an exhibit tendered was not conclusive proof of non-membership. Membership of a political party is ordinarily a matter within the domestic affairs of the party,” the letter stated. However, the lawyers said the court nullified the May 26 primary on grounds relating to its conduct and directed the PDP to hold a fresh exercise within 30 days, allowing all aspirants cleared on May 14 to participate.

The firm said the party complied with the order, notified INEC and held another primary on September 29, monitored by commission officials. Pantami again emerged as the winner, according to the letter. The lawyers questioned why INEC subsequently omitted his name from the final list without providing a reason.

“We have our Client’s firm and unequivocal instructions to demand that the Commission, on or before Wednesday, October 14, publish and circulate the name of Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim as the candidate of the PDP for the office of Governor of Gombe State,” the letter stated. The firm urged INEC to correct the omission immediately and provide written confirmation of the steps taken to resolve the matter.