Gombe Court Delays Decision on PDP Governorship Primary Case

The Federal High Court in Gombe has put off its decision in a case brought by Khamisu Mailantarki, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship hopeful. He is challenging the results of the party's governorship primary that took place on 26 May.

This case questions whether the primary that selected Isa Pantami, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, as the PDP candidate for the 2027 election was valid. The matter was heard by Justice Amina-Aliyu Mohammed.

After listening to arguments from lawyers for both sides, the court said it would announce the date for the ruling later.

After the court session, Mailantarki's main lawyer, Mustapha Ibrahim (SAN), told reporters that his client is questioning the legality of the primary election. He claims the process was damaged by allowing someone who was not qualified to take part.

Ibrahim noted that both the main application and the preliminary objections from the defendants were discussed in court, which sets the stage for the ruling.

He also downplayed worries about the second plaintiff withdrawing from the case. He said the case is still valid since Mailantarki, the main claimant, is still pursuing the matter.

The court is being asked to cancel the results of the primary held on May 26 and order the PDP to hold a new governorship primary with only eligible candidates.

Ibrahim stated that Pantami was not a registered member of the PDP when the primary election happened, so he should not have been allowed to participate.

The PDP's lawyer, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), confirmed that there are three pre-election cases involving the party in court. He mentioned that the Mailantarki case has been argued and is now waiting for a decision, while another case was postponed to 23 July.

Ajibade added that a different suit from another aspirant against the PDP and its governorship candidate is set for the next day to adopt processes before a judgement date is chosen.

The court's decision will be key in deciding whether the PDP's governorship primary in Gombe will stand or if the party will need to conduct a new primary before the 2027 general election.