Gombe 2027: Pantami’s Camp Reacts as INEC Omits Name from Governorship Candidates’ List
The campaign organisation of Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has expressed concern over the omission of his name from the list of governorship candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 general elections, assuring supporters that efforts are underway to address the development.
The reaction followed the publication of the electoral commission’s candidates’ lists, which PRNigeria had earlier reported in its breaking news coverage of the presidential, governorship and legislative candidates for the forthcoming elections.
Pantami, a former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State following a fresh primary conducted on September 29, 2026, pursuant to an order of the Federal High Court.
However, his name was rabsent from the governorship candidates’ list released by INEC, raising questions among his supporters and members of the PDP in Gombe State.
Reacting in a press statement, Professor Suleiman Mohammed Gombe acknowledged the concerns generated by the development but urged members of the PDP and the Pantamiyya Movement to remain calm.
“Our attention has been drawn to the non-publication of the name of our candidate from the fresh primary election of 29th September, 2026, as ordered by the Federal High Court, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, in the list released by INEC,” the statement said.
The statement assured supporters that the development should not be regarded as a final determination of Pantami’s candidacy, describing it as a challenge that could still be addressed through the appropriate electoral and legal processes.
“We wish to assure all our supporters to remain calm, steadfast, and hopeful. This is a temporary challenge and a normal part of the electoral process, not a final determination, in sha Allah,” Gombe stated.
He disclosed that the campaign’s legal and liaison teams had commenced engagements with relevant organs of the PDP and INEC to seek clarification and rectification.
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“Our legal and liaison teams are already engaging with the relevant organs of the party and INEC to ensure full compliance and rectification within the window provided by law,” he said.
Gombe also alleged that some individuals were working behind the scenes to frustrate Pantami’s political ambition, although the statement did not identify those involved or provide evidence supporting the allegation.
Despite the development, he expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved through the appropriate channels.
PRNigeria had earlier reported that the Federal High Court in Gombe nullified the PDP governorship primary conducted on May 26, 2026, and ordered the party to conduct a fresh exercise.
The court’s decision followed litigation over the conduct of the earlier primary, particularly complaints concerning the exclusion of some aspirants.
In compliance with the judgment, the PDP conducted another primary on September 29, at which Pantami was declared winner with 2,054 votes, defeating Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, who polled 389 votes, and Usman Aliyu Garry, who secured 112 votes.
The latest development has therefore introduced a fresh question over the status of Pantami’s nomination following the court-ordered rerun.
Gombe urged supporters not to allow the development to disrupt their political activities, stressing that the PDP and Pantamiyya Movement remained committed to their objectives.
“We urge our supporters to continue their mobilisation and to remain focused on our collective ideology of service to humanity,” he said.
He added that the movement remained united and would continue pursuing its objectives through the party and relevant institutions.
The statement concluded with prayers for Gombe State and Nigeria.
The precise reason for Pantami’s reported omission, whether INEC received and accepted the documentation relating to the September 29 primary, and the availability of any administrative or judicial remedy were not explained in the statement.
The development leaves the status of Pantami’s name on the published list subject to clarification from INEC and the PDP.
Subsequent reports published on October 10 confirm that INEC’s final Gombe governorship list contains 16 candidates, with no PDP candidate included.
The Federal High Court’s September 24 judgment and the party’s September 29 rerun provide the background to the dispute, but the precise legal or administrative reason for the omission has not yet been established in the available reporting.
