Aspirant Sues Pantami Over Gombe PDP Ticket

The Federal High Court 1, Gombe, has commenced hearing in a pre-election suit filed by Abdulkadir Hamma Saleh, challenging the emergence of Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State.

Naija News reports that the matter came up before Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed, who adjourned proceedings till July 9, 2026, for further mention.

Saleh is asking the court to intervene in the process that produced Pantami as the PDP flag bearer, alleging irregularities in the conduct of the party’s governorship primary.

Before filing the suit, the aggrieved aspirant had appealed to the PDP leadership to address his grievances and review the nomination exercise.

He reportedly insisted that the party should exhaust its internal dispute resolution mechanisms in the interest of fairness, unity and due process.

However, following what he described as unsuccessful efforts to seek redress within the party, Saleh approached the court to challenge the outcome of the primary.

The case is expected to generate political interest as the PDP prepares for the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State.

Justice Mohammed adjourned the matter till July 9, 2026, for continuation of proceedings.

In other news, the Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Zamfara State, Surajo Garba Maikatako, has described the party’s reported deregistration as a temporary legal challenge.

Naija News reports that Maikatako, in a statement issued on Sunday in Gusau, urged members and supporters of the party to remain calm and committed to democratic ideals.

He said the party remained legally recognised and operational, adding that its leadership had clarified the matter.

“The recent ruling by the Federal High Court is a decision we view as a temporary legal hurdle, not a death knell,” he said.