Gombe State’s political landscape has been thrown into uncertainty tonight, as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has excluded the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from its list of cleared candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The missing name is that of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, whose emergence through a fresh governorship primary ordered by the Federal High Court appears to have hit a new legal hurdle.
INEC’s decision comes amid questions about the legal implication of a Supreme Court ruling on the Commission’s powers to enforce electoral guidelines and timetable, including the May 10 deadline for political parties to each submit its electronic party membership register.
Sources at the Commission claimed that INEC now has the power to exclude candidates where a nomination is deemed not to be in strict compliance with the law and that the window for rectification remains open, but is narrow.
The former Minister had emerged winner of the fresh PDP governorship primary held on the 29th of September, an election ordered by the Federal High Court following dispute over the party’s earlier primary. His name is said not to be in the PDP electronic membership register submitted to INEC on May 10 as he was still a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC. He reportedly defected to PDP after failing to secure the ticket of the ruling party.
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Reacting to the development, the Pantami Campaign Team has released a strongly-worded but reassuring media statement, urging supporters to remain calm.
In the statement signed by Professor Suleiman Mohammed Gombe, the team described the non-publication of Pantami’s name as a “temporary challenge within the electoral process and not a final determination.”
According to the statement which reads “We are aware of efforts by certain individuals to frustrate the emergence of good and responsible leadership in Gombe State. Our legal and liaison teams are already engaging with the relevant organs of the party and INEC to ensure compliance with the law and the necessary rectification within the legally stipulated timeframe.”
The statement further urged members of the PDP and the Pantamiyya Movement to remain united and continue their mobilisation, insisting that, in its words, “no distraction will derail our collective pursuit of progress and development.”
Political analysts say the exclusion if not reversed quickly could reshape the governorship contest in Gombe State, where the PDP was already battling internal divisions ahead of 2027.
All eyes are now on the courts and on INEC’s next move, as the clock ticks toward the 2027 general elections.
Professor Pantami’s teans says it remains hopeful of a resolution, adding that the Pantamiyya Movement remains, quote, “strong, united and resolute in its mission to rescue and emancipate the people of Gombe State.”
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(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
